Kenyan Opposition Leader 'Inaugurated President' by Supporters
Kenya’s Interior Ministry has declared the opposition alliance known as the National Resistance Movement, or NRM, a criminal organization after the group’s leader, Raila Odinga, in front of thousands of supporters, symbolically took the oath of “president” in defiance of last year’s controversial election and of authorities who said his actions would be considered treason.
Odinga was greeted by thousands of frenzied supporters at Nairobi’s Uhuru ParkTuesday afternoon, despite a seven-hour delay that some endured in the hot sun. As the 73-year-old and his entourage drove through the crowd, his supporters jostled, and some scuffled, to see him inaugurated as the so-called “people’s president.”
After swearing an oath of office on a green bible, Odinga called it a “historic day for the people of Kenya.”
“Today’s step is one step towards doing away with electoral autocracy,” said Odinga. “And, establishing full-fledged democracy in our country.”
NRM called a 'criminal group'
The Interior Ministry wasted no time issuing a statement after the ceremony declaring the NRM an “organized criminal group” under Kenya’s Prevention of Organized Crimes Act. It was not immediately clear if that would mean the arrest of Odinga or any other opposition leaders in the NRM.
Independent local broadcasters say the government orchestrated a media blackout to prevent live television coverage of Odinga’s “swearing-in.”
Citizen TV was one of three major stations to go off air Tuesday. Citizen TV's owner expressed shock and disappointment to VOA that it could happen with no explanation.
Supreme Court orders new election
President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner of an August election, but the country’s Supreme Court took the rare step of annulling the results, citing irregularities within the electoral process.
Odinga boycotted an October re-run of the election and the court backed Kenyatta’s win in that vote. Odinga’s National Super Alliance, or NASA — a coalition of opposition parties — contests the results of the re-run vote.
Kenya’s attorney general in December said Odinga declaring himself president would be considered an act of high treason, an offense punishable by death.
President Kenyatta’s office last week warned Odinga that any actions would be subject to Kenyan law.
Although police used some tear gas on supporters in an area near the event, an expected heavy police presence did not materialize and no major clashes occurred. Opposition concerns their leaders could be arrested before the event did not come to pass either.
Odinga briefly led the packed crowd in a chant, repeating, “A people united can never be defeated,” before telling supporters that Tuesday’s speech was for the media and “the rest would all be known to you in due course.” His entourage then slowly drove through the crowd and out of the park.
Supporters are optimistic
Although there is no legal backing for Odinga’s “inauguration,” many supporters like Peter Musyoka are optimistic.
“After the swearing in, I am expecting our president ... to lead us and give us a way forward. And, I believe that Kenya will completely change, our democracy will change, and Kenyans will fully understand their rights,” he added.
In an exclusive interview with VOA's Swahili service earlier in January, Odinga raised the possibility of forming a rival government, either inside or outside of Kenya.
VOA Swahili contributed to this report.