Though diplomatic teams tried to prevail upon Raila Odinga to drop bid to take an oath on January 30, 2018 as the 'People's President', a section of African leaders were also secretly concerned.
Bitter with the decision by President Uhuru Kenyatta to go and take part in repeat polls in 2017, Raila was keen to establish a parallel government.
In a book 'Soaring Above the Storms of Passion' published by Musalia Mudavadi, his then Chief Campaigner, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni were involved in the process.
A meeting was held at Raila's home in Karen where Obasanjo delivered Museveni's message. In attendance, Mudavadi notes, were other NASA co-principals.
“Also with us was former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, a close friend and confidante of Raila. He had specifically come to Kenya for this meeting," Musalia writes.
Mudavadi recalls Obasanjo advising Raila against the move, saying it would destroy his credentials. Mr Obasanjo also brought in Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s counsel as well as that of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“All of us, including Raila, agreed that he would not take the oath. Beyond this, Raila also told us that on a different occasion and in the presence of James Orengo, President John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania – also a close friend of his – had held a lengthy telephone conversation with him.”
Despite the pressure, Raila went on to take oath on January 30 2019, at Uhuru Park. However, Mudavadi notes, the other NASA players among them Moses Wetangula and Kalonzo Musyoka were kept in darkness.
According to him, despite agreeing to call off the ceremony, Raila went on to sneak to Uhuru Park without informing them.
“It was while we were here, at about 12 pm that Raila eventually called me using his regular phone number. Our telephone conversation was disjointed, creating the impression that he was under siege.
”Moments later, however, they learnt that he had proceeded to Uhuru Park and was taking the 'Presidential Oath of Office'.