[Photo/ B. Masese]
As the date for repeat presidential polls approaches, more NASA supporters are coming out to admit that they actually worship Raila Odinga, and not God. About a week ago, Kenyans online raised an alarm after a number of NASA followers appeared to worship Raila openly, leading many Christians to wonder whether blasphemy had taken root in the opposition. These NASA supporters are now carrying placards with messages of placing Raila ahead of God or putting him at the same level with the Almighty. During anti-IEBC protests, a man was pictured carrying a cross with a message: “Canaan tunaenda (we are going). Vote Raila vote God.” Just days ago, a conversation between embattled Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and an unidentified social media user leaked online, in which the MP admitted that he does not believe in God, but ODM leader Raila Odinga. “I don’t believe in God, I believe in baba (sic). It’s time for Tialala and Tibim,” the former University of Nairobi student leader wrote.
[Photo/ B. Masese]
Recently, another Raila supporter took to a campaign rally a placard, which said that Raila is a god.“Raila ni mungu wa ukweli (Raila is a true god),” the placard said.
[Photo/Gordon Opiyo]
The silence of religious leaders, especially from the counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Migori and Homa Bay has been questioned, with Christians online saying that their not coming out to condemn the blasphemy meant that they approved of it. "Christian leaders from Luo Nyanza see nothing wrong with this. Then you ask why thunder keeps striking the old man," wrote veteran journalist Gordon Opiyo.
After the Supreme Court nullified the presidential election results, which had President Uhuru Kenyatta beat Raila Odinga by more than 1.4 million votes, tens of women who support Raila stripped naked openly in the streets, further raising questions on what had made the unusual things happen.Raila, who has nicknamed himself the Biblical Joshua, ready to take the people to the Promised Land of Canaan, has also been put on the spot for not denouncing the behaviour of supporters worshipping him.
This comes after atheists in Kenya endorsed Raila Odinga for president. The Jubilee administration had refused to register them.