Kenyan opposition leader Odinga vows to form rival government

18th January 2018 By: African News Agency

 Kenyan opposition leader Odinga vows to form rival government

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga
Photo by: Reuters

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has vowed to form a rival government, even if it is based outside the country, when he goes ahead with his counter-inauguration on January 30, the Daily Nation reported on Thursday.

The controversial politician made this statement on Wednesday simultaneously as 13 members of parliament from opposition coalition the National Super Alliance (NASA), promised to support Odinga’s oath by swearing in affidavits that they would only recognise him as president.

Incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta won October 26 rerun presidential elections - which were ordered by Kenya’s Supreme Court on the grounds that the initial vote in August was marred by irregularities - in a landslide that was largely boycotted by the opposition.

The opposition cried foul and, spurred on by Odinga, took to the streets in protest and began a civil campaign of disobedience with their leader vowing to hold a counter swearing-in to Kenyatta’s official November 28 inauguration.

In an interview with Voice of America, the opposition leader said his oath of office will be based on the results of the August 8, 2017 election, which he claims he won.

He said he would form a cabinet and run a government even if from exile.

“This is no joke. An illegitimate government is in office, and the one that the people actually wanted to be there is outside. On January 30, we will end this. We will be sworn in with the August 8 results that show we won,” he said.

Kenyatta has warned that if Odinga proceeds with his plans and breaks the law by acting against the constitution he will be charged with treason, which is punished by the death penalty.