[ODM leader Raila Odinga in a past rally. President Uhuru Kenyatta may need him to calm his supporters across the country. Photo/Nation]
Despite their bitter rivalry, President Uhuru Kenyatta will be forced to seek intervention of ODM leader Raila Odinga over reported violence in a number of opposition strongholds.
Reports in various social media platforms indicate that police are engaging protesters in running battles following disputed outcome of elections, which the opposition has dismissed as ‘null’.
At Kisumu, a number of protesters have reportedly been injured or killed, claims which acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has dismissed.
Owing to the fact that Odinga commands solid support across the country, President Uhuru Kenyatta may ask him to talk to his supporters are Kenyans seek long term solution to the dispute.
It is understood that Odinga has made the first public appearance since Uhuru was declared at Kibra, a suburb of Nairobi where protests have been witnessed since Friday.
During his acceptance speech, Uhuru lauded Odinga as a ‘worthy’ competitor and asked him to bury differences to unite the country for the sake of posterity.
Should Odinga maintain his stand, he may be forced to argue his case in Supreme Court in accordance to the constitution.