[Raila Odinga at a past swearing-in ceremony. He took oath as People’s President in absence of his co-principals. Photo/VOA]
Raila Odinga has finally taken oath as People's President in absence of his co-principals at a fully packed Uhuru Park.
Contrary to expected running battles between NASA supporters and the police, the state withdrew police from the scene, a move that could have further widened tension.
"I graciously accept to serve you as People's President. I also thank you for the support," said Raila to cheering supporters.
But a source close to NASA top leadership who spoke in confidence had earlier intimated that all other principals had switched off their phones.
A desperate Raila is then understood to have tried to reach them in vain despite an earlier agreement that they meet at the venue at mid-day.
"They switched off their phones and Raila could not reach them. They had agreed to meet at the venue by mid-day," said the source.
At his Karen residence in the morning, Kalonzo Musyoka remained non-committal when asked whether or not he was to attend the event.
Although it is not clear why Moses Wetangula, Musalia Mudavadi and Kalonzo decided to withdraw, they have however in the past accused of colluding with Jubilee to thwart the event.