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Prime Minister Raila Odinga left the country Friday morning for Ivory Coast where he will attend the inauguration ceremony of President Allasane Outtara on Saturday.
Raila who is accompanied by Tourism Minister Najib Balala warned individuals seeking leadership positions in Africa against violating the rights of the voters.
Addressing the press at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly before takeoff, Raila said refusal by political leaders to respect the will of the voters as expressed in elections was a blow to democracy sweeping the continent.
He further warned that stolen elections result in disillusionment in the electoral process risking the spread of instability and insecurity on the continent.
" Several presidential elections are being held in Africa this year. Each of those elections will count in the Continents's march towards democracy, economic prosperity and good governqnce. If the continent's people came to believe that their votes do not bring to power the leaders they wanted, elections would become meaningless. This will pave way for unrest and instability throughout the continent."
The PM was a mediator in the Ivory Coast leadership crisis but his efforts did not yield much.
Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo who refused to vacate office after losing election to Outtara was overthrown in April. Gbagbo was captured by forces loyal to Ouattara ending several months of bloody power struggle.
Over 1 million people were displaced during the dispute according to the United Nations.
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