Kenya Police officers at a pass-out parade. [Photo/ smartnewz.worldpress.com]
Tuesday’s inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta for a second and last term in office will offer a litmus test for Kenya’s security apparatus.Contrary to the 2013 swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday’s will come after a protracted and divisive electioneering period and will feature two parallel events.One of those events will be NASA’s memorial service for its supporters at the Jacaranda Grounds, Embakasi East Constituency. The event is for supporters the opposition says were killed by the police during the grand welcome of their leader Raila Odinga after a 10-day visit to the US. The event has been outlawed by the police.Secondly, there will be the swearing-in ceremony at Kasarani Stadium to usher in President Uhuru, arguably to his tumultuous term in office ever thanks to political tension that has divided the country into camps.Nairobi Police Commandant Japheth Koome in his latest press briefing indicated that the 0pposition had not notified his officers of any parallel meeting in the city on Tuesday.But in a quick rejoinder, NASA’s legal team lead by former Nairobi senatorial aspirant Edwin Sifuna refuted the claims, saying the coalition had notified the police and that the officers were free to avoid the rally.With major roads blocked for dignitaries attending the swearing-in at Kasarani and an elaborate security detail in place, it is highly likely that the country’s security will be overstretched on Tuesday.