Kenya's opposition leader issues government in exile warning

godfred akoto

January 18, 2018 7:56 AM

Raila Odinga and his party have resolved to swear him in on January 30

In the week when the European Union appealed to Raila Odinga to uphold the rule of law, Kenya's opposition leader has threatened to form a government in exile.

Speaking to the Voice of America(VOA) in Swahili the leader of Kenya's opposition coalition, NASA, revealed plans to go ahead with a swearing in on January 30, based on his claims that he won the first election held on August 8, 2017. The results of that election, won by incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta was latter annulled by the country's Supreme Court, citing several irregularities with the process.

"We can even be a government in exile, one that works from outside. It has happened in other countries. What we are saying is that Kenyans can no longer allow an illegitimate government not elected by the people to rule them. We will work like a government, we will form a Cabinet and we will work as a government," Mr Odinga said.

"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 shows we won."

Mr.Odinga, a veteran of three elections and a former prime minister of Kenya has at times threatened succession with his stronghold Kisumu county leading the charge. Although the initial fervour for that plan of action has been tamed, he still faces reports of divisions within his own party over his claims to the presidency, with some of his Members of Parliament(MP) publicly making statements in support of the presidency of Mr.Kenyatta.

Mr.Odinga also faces claims of alleged friction between himself and the other leaders of his party, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula over the share of power in parliament .

In the interview he denied these claims.

"There is no rift in Nasa at all. No problems whatsoever. My brothers are fully behind the course," he said.

"In a large family like Nasa, these things are bound to occur. There will be cases where one family is demanding a fish and vice-versa. That is normal."

Mr.Odinga also used the interview to warn international parties, whom he has long accused of bias in favour of Uhuru Kenyatta, to allow Kenyans to resolve the political impasse.

"This is a fire that is for us Kenyans to put out. We have stated our agenda for dialogue.

We will do our things, let them do theirs and then we will see where we will meet."

godfred akoto