Sunday August 28, 2022
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance, who competed in Kenya's presidential election, addresses the nation following the announcement of the results of the presidential election, in Nairobi, Kenya August 16, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
NAIROBI, (Xinhua) -- Kenyan veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has assured the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of a peaceful settlement of electoral disputes in the country.
The 77-year-old Odinga who has challenged in court the presidential election results announced by the electoral body on Aug. 15 where his main competitor in the race, the sitting Deputy President, William Ruto was declared the winner, told Guterres in a telephone conversation on Friday night that he will respect the ruling of the Supreme Court.
"Odinga has expressed his appreciation for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for reaching out to him with a telephone call regarding the elections in Kenya and subsequent developments," Odinga's office said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya on Saturday.
During the telephone conversation that lasted about 10 minutes, Guterres expressed appreciation to Odinga for opting to pursue his challenge of the declared presidential election results through established democratic and legal institutions and the Supreme Court.
Odinga appreciated Guterres's call, saying it reflected the high regard for Kenya and its stability held globally.
"Odinga also assured Guterres that Kenyans were totally committed to democracy and peaceful settlement of divisive electoral disputes and that he will respect the ruling by the Supreme Court," it said.