Azimio running mate Martha Karua called out Standard Digital for misreporting.
In a statement on Monday, September 5, Karua faulted the media outlet for insinuating that she had conceded defeat after the Supreme Court verdict on election on William Ruto as the President-elect.
“Shame on you for false reporting! Respecting a court ruling is not the same as conceding. I state clearly that I disagree with the court's findings,” infuriated Karua stated.
The Standard Digital, a product of the giant Standard Media Group had posted a social media engagement photo of Karua with the captions indicating that she had conceded.
“Raila Odinga’s running mate in the August 9, 2022 presidential election, Martha Karua, has conceded losing to William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua,” the post read.
The vocal politician had earlier in the day expressed her dissatisfaction with the judgment that was delivered by the Supreme Court on the presidential election petition.
Karua and Raila Odinga had challenged Ruto's win after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, chair Wafula Chebukati made the declaration on August 15.
However, the seven-judge-bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome unanimously dismissed the seven petitions that were consolidated into one terming it as hot air.
In an earlier statement, Karua had faulted the ruling but noted that she would respect the court's decision.
“The court has spoken. I respect but disagree with the findings,” Karua stated.
It will be remembered that after the 2017 General elections, Martha Karua challenged Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru victory at the East African Court of Justice where she wanted the Court to nullify the election.
However, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in a statement accepted the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the election of President-elect William Ruto, even though he disagreed with the judgment.
“We have always stood for the rule of law and the constitution. In this regard, we respect the opinion of the court although we vehemently disagree with their decision," read the statement in part”
Further, leaders from both spectrum of the political divide have welcomed the decision by the Supreme court to uphold Ruto’s win with mixed reactions.
Odinga settled on Karua with the hope of winning the Mt Kenya vote. However, based on the numbers announced by IEBC, the veteran failed to deliver the numbers, with Ruto's UDA party, sweeping majority of seats, including in her home turf.
