Kenyan opposition to hold rallies countrywide in renewed quest to denounce Uhuru's leadership

david nganga

February 10, 2018 3:34 PM

The rallies come days after NASA swore in Raila as 'People's President'

Kenyas main opposition coalition party National Super Alliance (NASA) is set to hold seven rallies in its renewed bid to denounce President Uhuru Kenyattas leadership.

The rallies are earmarked to take place in the run-up to a national convention at the end of this month in response to the government’s crack down on key players in Raila Odinga’s symbolic swearing-in ceremony as the people’s president.

Since the January 30, the government has arrested key opposition figures including Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’, his Makadara counterpart George Aladwa, and maverick lawyer Miguna Miguna. Mr Miguna was on Tuesday evening deported to Canada.

A number of Nasa politicians have also had their passports revoked including Siaya Senator James Orengo, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, and businessman Jimi Wanjigi.

Nasa co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi have had their firearm licences confiscated in a move the Opposition has termed as a return of the dictatorial Kanu regime.

The Nasa outfit says it this “affronts on their rights” that has informed their plans to push the anti-harassment card in its rallies which will be held in Suswa, Narok for the Maa region; Wajir Town for the northern frontier; Meru for upper eastern, Eldoret for the Rift Valley region, Kisii for the Gusii region, and a yet-to-be-named location for Central Kenya.

Strategist Norman Magaya said the countrywide rallies would push for a referendum solely focused on constitutional changes.

"We must have a situation where all communities fells part of Kenya. A rotational presidency and strengthening of devolution," he said.

What remains unclear however is whether that referendum push and the new demand to have a fresh election by August 2018 will go together.

Mr Odinga told the BBC earlier in the week that Nasa wants “a third election” in August, stating that he did not recognise Mr Kenyatta as the President “since he does not have the legitimacy of the people”.

david nganga