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It is an act of perfidy to hold inauguration while the nation mourns, Raila tells Uhuru
By John Eche
The United Kingdom is scared and worried over the possible turn of events in Kenya next week with the opposition NASA leader, Raila Odinga asking his supporters to gather for an ‘alternate inauguration event’ at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi’s Eastlands on Tuesday.
Interestingly, the date and time coincides with the official schedule for second-term President Uhuru Kenyatta to take his oath of office.
A statement from NASA outlines that the meeting will however not be a rally but an event where leaders affiliated to coalition will gather to mourn opposition supporters that they allege were killed by the police in the course of the elections and its fall-outs.
“Those lives didn’t go in vain. It is part of the struggle. They paid the ultimate price. They didn’t reach the top of the mountain like Martin Luther King but it is not in vain,” Raila, who was speaking at a fundraising meeting to take care of those the victims left behind said.
At the event which was held in Nairobi, the opposition leader also faulted the on-going preparations for Uhuru’s inauguration, saying it was ill-timed because the country was still mourning the death of citizens killed in clashes with police and Jubilee supporters in the city and other parts of the country.
He was referring to about 15 people killed in Nairobi, Migori, Kisumu and Bungoma before and after the Supreme Court declared Uhuru duly elected last week.
The NASA leadership accused the police of being behind the killings and demanded that international institutions take up the investigations.
“When you hear the Inspector General talk of mob justice as the cause of the deaths, you ask yourself what action will be taken if it’s the police who carried out the so-called mob justice?” posed NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi.
In his remarks, Siaya Senator James Orengo told the meeting that brought together NASA MPs, governors, deputy governors and supporters that they would not rest until those responsible are brought to book.
“The international community is not talking about the killings going on in Kenya, but we will use human rights agencies in Kenya and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to get justice. Action must be taken against them,” said Mudavadi.
Raila faulted Jubilee over the killings and questioned why they were planning Uhuru’s swearing-in when the country was in mourning.
“It is sad that the lives of young people have been cut short at between the ages 17 and 28. Those were very young precious lives needed for the development of the nation. What did they do, what crimes did they commit, did they have to die?” asked Raila.
Those questions, he said, must to be answered by the Government. “It’s is crazy to hold a ceremony when the people are mourning. For NASA, there is no celebration. They should have waited until the dead are buried,” said Raila.
The NASA chief donated Sh1 million, while Mudavadi and Senator Moses Wetang’ula each donated Sh100,000 to help with funeral arrangements. At least 28 families of the victims attended yesterday’s fundraiser.
Worried by the heated nature of events in the country, the UK government has issued a travel advisory to its citizens already in the country or intending to make trips to the country next week to be on heightened state of security alert.
On its part, the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta is going ahead with plans for the inauguration event even as the the Police Commander in Nairobi, Mr. Japhet Koome has stated that the force is not aware of the NASA event that is scheduled to hold on Tuesday.
NASA leader, Raila Odinga
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