The opposition leader in Kenya Raila Odinga has revealed that he is not backing down on taking an oath as alternative president of the east African country.
He has now said that oath as people’s president will be taken by him “very early in the New Year”.
This announcement has been seen as a possible trigger for escalation of tension in Kenya and put to bed any potential talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government.
Mr. Odinga has been warned by the government of facing death since his action amounts to treason should he swear himself in as president.
In a Christmas message sent to media houses in Kenya Mr Odinga said Kenya was fast becoming dictatorship, and urged his supporters to join him in resisting such a move.
“As we usher in 2018,” Mr Odinga said, “we are called upon to choose between resigning ourselves to dictatorship, to accept and move on, or to stand up for what we believe in.”
Odinga said “We are called upon to accept that there is political hierarchy of communities in this country, the rulers and the ruled, or to affirm our dignity as equal citizens and to invoke our inalienable human right to self-determination if we must.”
Mr. Odinga refused to take part in the October presidential election ordered by the Supreme Court which was won by President Kenyatta. He has refused to recognize President Kenyatta as legitimate leader of the country.
A court challenge to discredit the October election results was also unsuccessful.
Source: Africafeeds.com
