Opposition leader Raila Odinga.[Photo/zipo.co.ke]The ‘swearing-in’ of opposition leader Raila Odinga as ‘President’ is still on course, a former adviser to the Prime Minister has said.
Miguna Miguna said Monday evening the postponement of the former Langata MP’s inauguration doesn’t mean the event has been cancelled for good.
“The National Resistance Movement wishes to state that is had no role in the postponement of the swearing-in of the people’s president made by Musalia Mudavadi,” Miguna, a government critic said.
“That was a coalition NASA’s decision. NRM will give a way forward in the next day or so. Please remain calm and focused.”
On Monday, it emerged that three NASA principals did not support the much-hyped swearing-in of Raila as the People’s President, leading to collapse of the plan.
Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper and NASA's Deputy President Candidate, Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford-Kenya) all believed the inauguration would hurt their political cause.
There were fears of convulsive violence leading to deaths of innocent supporters, fears that Raila himself would be arrested and jailed for treason for life, fears his legacy would be irredeemably tarnished and his cause of electoral justice and democracy would founder.
Raila has been under pressure from clerics and foreign envoys to abandon the planned swearing-in as the development would bring unnecessary instability.
US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec made it clear to Raila the international community would not support the idea. He said swearing-in would be counterproductive and erode Raila’s democratic credentials.
David Ndii, chair of the organising committee and a proponent of secession, is also said to have opposed the oath-taking. Only former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama was steadfastly in support of the inauguration in Mombasa.
This was despite warning that everyone involved would be arrested and charged.
However, anger greeted the decision by NASA to postpone the swearing-in with sme supporters calling it an act of cowardice.