After days of anxiety and a postponement in December 2017, Raila Odinga today, took ‘oath’ as the President of the Republic of Kenya.
Holding a green Bible to his right arm and sandwiched by his former aide Miguna Miguna and Siaya Senator James Orengo, Raila recited his ‘oath of office’ before thousands of his supporters at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
“I Raila Amolo Odinga in full realisation of the high calling to assume the office of the people’s president of the Republic of Kenya, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the people and the Republic of Kenya; that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Kenya, as by law established, and all other laws of the Republic as adopted by the people of Kenya; that I will protect and uphold sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya. So help me God.” he carefully said.
His action as being described by the government has treason, and security analysts fear any action taken against Odinga could spark a violent conflict.
However, the three other opposition leaders in the National Super Alliance Coalition, including his deputy, Kalonzo Musyoka, were conspicuously missing from the ceremony.
“Kalonzo is still with us, he will be sworn in later due to reasons that you will be informed on a later day,” Raila struggled to explain.
The ‘swearing-in’ which the government has maintained is unconstitutional, now leaves the supporters of the opposition outfit with questions of what follows next. Earlier in an exclusive interview with KTN News, Raila Odinga had intimated that their coalition’s next course of action will be known after the swearing.
“The function is on. There is no doubt about that. Hold your horses. After the swearing in you will be told what will happen going forward,” he maintained.
But that plan was not outlined at the event. The veteran politician anti-climaxed his speech with a promise to announce the plan to his supporters in due course.
In his address after the oath, he thanked his ecstatic supporters for coming saying the day signalled the start of a liberation against an alleged regime of dictatorship.
“Today is the first step in doing away with election autocracy in our country and establishing proper democracy in our country. I thank the people of Kenya for their courage, patience and fortitude that you have shown the rest of the world,” he said.
