Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, faces arrest after he staged an unofficial swearing-in ceremony as an alternative president.
Led by an MP from his coalition who is also a High Court barrister, the Kenyan opposition leader has defied political convention. Raila Odinga took an 'oath of office' as he clutched a Bible.
He declared, “I, Raila Amolo Odinga, in full realisation of the high calling, assume the office of the people’s president of the republic of Kenya.” He made the declaration in front of a crowd of tens of thousands in Uhuru Park, central Nairobi.
Strangely, the security forces did not try to stop the ceremony, but police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds afterwards.
Kalonzo Musyoka was due to be sworn in as Mr Odinga’s vice-president. However, he was forced to miss the ceremony when a grenade was thrown at his home. Describing the incident as an assassination attempt, Mr Musyoka said that his home came under gunfire hours after his police protection was withdrawn.
The government made efforts to censor the coverage of the event, with President Kenyatta warning media organisations that they could be stripped of their licences if they broadcast it live. Not less than three broadcasters were taken off air but resorted to streaming it on their websites.
The attorney-general, Githu Muigai, warned that Mr Odinga’s actions amounted to a treasonable challenge to the legitimate presidency of the nation.
The government made efforts to censor the coverage of the event, with President Kenyatta warning media organisations that they could be stripped of their licences if they broadcast it live. Not less than three broadcasters were taken off air but resorted to streaming it on their websites.
The attorney-general, Githu Muigai, warned that Mr Odinga’s actions amounted to a treasonable challenge to the legitimate presidency of the nation.
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