Africa

Kenya opposition defers Odinga’s December 12 swearing in

Odinga

Amidst growing tension in Kenya following the swearing in of the country’ newly re-elected president, Uhuru Kenyatta, the proposed swearing in by the opposition leader, Raila Odinga scheduled for December 12th has been shifted.

Kenya’s main opposition coalition, the National Super Alliance (NASA) announced postponement of the swearing-in ceremony of its leader Raila Odinga as president of the country.

According to agency report, a statement released on Sunday, 24 hours before the December 12, event said the latest decision had been reached “following extensive internal consultations and engagements with a wide range of national and international interlocutors.”

According to NASA officials, the programme was earlier scheduled to start with the national anthem, followed by prayers, then announcement and adoption of the agenda.

There will then be a ceremony to install “the people’s leader”, after which speeches shall be conducted.

A ‘people’s assembly’ shall also be installed followed by speeches from representatives of counties. Raila Odinga and other NASA leaders are expected to head out after the event and hold rallies across the country.

However, the US and other countries had earlier condemned the rising tension in the country as a result of the proposed action by the opposition party.

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NASA said it was aware that the postponement will be a disappointment to Kenyans who were looking forward to the day. They added that a new date for the event will be announced in the coming days

“We wish to assure them that our resolve has not changed. Specifically, we wish to reiterate that any national dialogue must have electoral justice on the agenda.

We are not interested in sharing illegitimate dictatorial power,” a statement signed by Raila Odinga and three other leaders stated

Bonny Amadi with Agency Report

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Ihesiulo Grace

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