NASA leaders led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga [photo|nation.co.ke]
National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga has said the opposition is willing to dialogue with the Jubilee administration to end the current political uncertainty triggered by the controversial October 26 repeat presidential election. During his first public address since Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner of the repeat poll, Mr. Odinga on Tuesday (October 31) said “NASA is for dialogue. All political differences are resolved through dialogue.” However, he issued conditions, saying that the dialogue should be about having a free and fair election and not a “private arrangement” between him and the president. “Before engaging in dialogue, we must be clear what differences we are sitting down to resolve. Suggestions have been made that what is needed is a compromise between Jubilee and NASA. There are even those who see the crisis as nothing more than a personal feud between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga that could be resolved by private arrangement. This view is mistaken,’’ said Odinga in a press address held at the Wiper Party headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi. The opposition chief further clarified that the political crisis currently facing the country is about free and fair elections “specifically and fundamentally about democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law.”
“The Supreme Court ordered a repeat election held in compliance with the constitution and the law. The order has not been complied with. It must be. It is in our best interest that we do so sooner rather than later,” said Odinga.
The former premier maintained that the opposition would continue “to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities as often as we choose”.