Kenya: Odinga Forges Ahead With Parallel Swearing-in Ceremony

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Kenyan Opposition Leader, Raila Odinga.

Nairobi - KENYA’S opposition leader, Raila Odinga’s is forging ahead with his parallel swearing-in ceremony slated for Tuesday, December 12 despite mounting calls to cancel the event and allow dialogue.

Raila’s opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) has refused to concede electoral defeat to Uhuru Kenyatta who has been sworn in for a second five-year term as President of Kenya.

Kenyatta, 56, won a presidential run-off poll boycotted by the opposition citing lack of electoral reforms to guarantee free and fair voting.

On Thursday, Odinga’s NASA wrote to the Kenya Governors requesting a venue for the swearing in ceremony of the opposition leader amid heightened tensions.

“Your county having passed the People’s Assembly motion, the presidential inauguration team is requesting your office to provide a venue for this high level event in your county,” read part of the letters.

This is the third time that Odinga is vying for the top seat. He lost in 2007 and 2013 but refused to accept the results citing voter irregularities.

The United States government has however urged Odinga to call off his swearing-in ceremony and allow dialogue to prevent further bloodshed.

“The United States urges opposition leaders to work within Kenya’s laws to pursue the reforms they seek and to avoid extra-constitutional actions such as the proposed “inauguration ceremony” on December 12.

“We again call for an immediate, sustained, open, and transparent national conversation involving all Kenyans,” a statement issued by the US Embassy in Kenya reads in part.

Kenya has been edge since the Supreme Court overturned Kenyatta’s election victory in the first round of balloting. There have been violent protests that have left protesters dead, others injured.

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