NASA leader Raila Odinga. [Photo/mwakilishi.com]
Despite boycotting the Supreme Court-ordered presidential election last year, NASA leader Raila Odinga says he will go ahead to be sworn in as president, thereby committing treason.
All legal and political pundits in the country agree that by being sworn-in as president, Raila will be overthrowing the democratically elected government, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who won with a landslide in last year’s polls.
According to the Kenyan law, there is only one punishment for anyone found guilty of committing treason: death by hanging.
The last time such a thing happened in Kenya — in 1982 — those who took part were killed by hanging. Raila, who was part of the team that tried to overthrow then-President Moi, was jailed for nearly a decade. His political connections helped him escape the death sentence. But with the independence of the Judiciary under Chief Justice David Maraga, it is very hard to imagine the NASA leaders escaping the sharp jaws of the law.
To be safe, stay away from the whole event. Since this is a huge crime against the state, expect all government forces, including the military, to be involved in defending democracy. Those who will be caught in the crackdown will have asked for it. No one will be treated in a special way.
This event will be unlike anything we have seen before. This is not like the demos against IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba. It is bigger than that, and the consequences will be unprecedented.
Anyone attending the event will have been assumed to be taking part in overthrowing the government, and should not expect any mercy when facing the full force of the law and state.
Elected leaders, such as governors, MPs, senators, women representatives among others, who will attend the swearing-in will surely lose their seats. This will happen after they are prosecuted and sentenced to death for plotting to take over the government.
Brothers and sisters, think about your family and future. Keep off the event. Be safe.