Opposition leader Raila Odinga was `sworn in’ as the `people’s president’ on January 30, 2018, despite the gathering at Uhuru Park being prohibited by the official President, Uhuru Kenyatta
Opposition leader Raila Odinga was `sworn in’ as the `people’s president’ on January 30, 2018, despite the gathering at Uhuru Park being prohibited by the official President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
The mock inauguration was held following Odinga’s refusal to recognise Kenyatta’s victory in the presidential election in October 2017.
The oath was administered by Ruaraka MP, T J Kajwang, with the whole event taking less than 10 minutes.
Supporters of the National Super Alliance (Nasa) party gathered in Nairobi’s main park to witness the `swearing in’, though there was initially some confusion over whether it would actually take place; an initial statement from the coalition said that the ceremony would be complete by 1pm, but no Nasa MPs had arrived at the venue by mid-afternoon.
Political attendees included Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi and MPs Elisha Odhiambo and Lilian Gogo, as well as Kisumu Women Representative Rosa Buyu and Miguna Miguna.
`Deputy President’ Kalonzo Musyoka was absent from the event, as were fellow Nasa principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, though Musyoka issued a statement to journalists from his home in Karen, Nairobi condemning the shutdown of some media stations who had vowed to televise the inauguration.
The Communications Authority of Kenya switched off the signals of NTV, Citizen and KTN stations ahead of the event on January 30, which Musyoka claimed was a deliberate attempt by the government to stop Nasa’s plans and an affront to media freedom.
Following the event, Odinga tweeted “I wish to thank the people of Kenya for the mandate they have given us and for their steadfast confidence in us.
“You came from all corners of the republic to witness my inauguration and it was good to see you out in millions.”
