NASA leader Raila Odinga in a past event. Former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu had cautioned him against his planned swearing-in. (Photo/nation.co.ke)
Former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu has cautioned NASA leader Raila Odinga and his deputy Kalonzo Musyoka against going on with their planned swearing in as the people’s president and deputy president respectively.
Mruttu, who unsuccessfully contested for re-election in the August 8 polls, asked Raila and Kalonzo to drop the swearing in idea and opt for other strategies in their reforms agenda.
The former ODM governor said that the planned swearing in will not offer much solution to electoral injustices and push for reforms.
He said that Raila and Kalonzo are senior and experienced politicians and should us proper tactics in pushing their agenda.
“As we all know, Raila’s planned swearing in is not backed by the constitution and it will be difficult for him to continue the reforms agenda if he agrees to an illegal swearing in,” he said.
Mruttu said that while Raila is justified in pushing for institutional and electoral reforms, he should adopt strategies that will not create more animosity among Kenyans.
He said that Raila's swearing in and push for secession by his key allies is likely to deepen disunity among Kenyans caused by the controversial last year presidential election.
The former Governor said that Raila and his deputy plus other NASA top politicians have much reputation to protect, noting that agreeing to an illegal swearing in could land them in trouble.
NASA has announced that Raila and Kalonzo will be sworn in on January 30 at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
Raila has several times indicated that he is ready to be sworn in as the people’s president even as the government maintains that the move is illegal and treasonous.
The opposition has lined up a series of rallies and meet the people tours ahead of Raila swearing in.
On Thursday, US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec warned NASA against the planned swearing urging it to seek dialogue on its reforms agenda with Uhuru’s government.