Raila Odinga-2022 was a difficult year

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has termed 2022 as one of the most difficult years for Kenyans but remained buoyant that 2023 would be better.

The ODM leader said Kenyans had a challenging 2022, with a hotly contested election leading to circumstances “exacerbated by the difficult economic conditions prevailing as we enter 2023”.

“We do, however, expect a better year and better times.Happy New Year,” Raila said in his New Year Message to Kenyans.

“I am, however, buoyed and looking forward to a better year and a better times in 2023 and beyond.”

Raila hinted at leading an agitation to better the country's constitution in 2023.

“I also look forward to a robust conversation on ways on how to improve our constitution and governance institutions,” he said.

Raila in 2022 lost his fifth chance of becoming the President after he lost the presidential elections to William Ruto.

On August 15, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati declared Ruto the President-elect after he defeated Raila and two other candidates in the August 9 poll.

Ruto had garnered 7.1 million votes, while Raila Odinga garnered 6.9 million.

However, his fierce competitor Raila of the Azimio la Umoja One coalition rejected the results terming them "null and void" and promised a bruising battle at the Supreme Court.

He filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging  Ruto’s win but the petition was dismissed.

The Supreme Court confirmed Ruto's victory in the August 9 election.

Reading the verdict of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Martha Koome said Ruto garnered 50 percent plus one vote cast required for one to be announced the winner. 

Raila Odinga who was Azimio's Presidential candidate said that the possibility of death and bloodshed from post-election violence and fear of International Criminal Court (ICC) charges compelled him to accept Ruto’s disputed win.

Raila has blamed electoral malpractices for his loss.

However, he said come January he will announce his next move.