Raila Odinga, Kenya’s strongest opposition member by the NASA party on Friday, issued and sent invitation cards to different people that he would like to host as he will swear in as the People’s President of Kenya.
On Tuesday 28 November, 2017, just a few minutes after Kenya’s President elect, Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto were inaugurated, Raila Odinga too informed his supporters that he would be sworn in as the President of Kenya on 12 December, 2017, as the country will be celebrating Jamhuri Day.
Mr. Odinga also stated that he would be sworn in by the People’s Assembly.
Despite Uhuru Kenyatta having been announced the winner of the August and October presidential polls in Kenya, and later on sworn in, Mr. Odinga said that he would never recognize Mr. Kenyatta as the President of Kenya.
‘Uhuru Kenyatta is not the President of Kenya. We do not recognize the October 26 election. That was a fake election. 83% of the population boycotted the election,’ Mr. Odinga said then, while addressing his supporters near Jacaranda Grounds, in Nairobi’s Eastlands area.
The invitation cards was also was posted on the coalition’s Telegram channel, however saying that the venue for the event will be communicated after the attendees are vetted.
According to the sources, the details of the event for which invites were sent out or the swearing in plan remain scanty but sources within the opposition say that the plan is not just a mere political talk.
Mr. Odinga added that he would be sworn in and immediately go to the state house to start serving his people like Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, and not like Kizza Besigye of Uganda.
‘You all know Raila Odinga is not a coward… In Uganda, Kizza Besigye (Uganda’s strongest opposition leader) was sworn in as President. Last week, Mnangagwa was sworn in as the President of Zimbabwe.’
‘However, we shall not do it like Besigye who was sworn in and didn’t go to the State House, but rather like Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sworn in and got into the State House. I will be sworn in and go to the State House,’ Mr. Odinga further informed then.
NASA critics have dismissed Mr. Odinga’s plan as a mirage, a pipe dream, and an illusion created by himself.
‘The argument is that the Opposition leader’s dream of becoming president was shattered by Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration.’
‘The Judiciary has not been notified on the inauguration ceremony planned by the Opposition party,’ said Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi, speaking at Pride Inn Hotel on Friday.
Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu
