Members of Kenya's opposition party to hold crunch talks on Friday over Raila swearing-in plan
There have been reports of a disagreement among NASA principals regarding Raila's oath plan.
The meeting, to be held in Machakos County, is among other things expected to iron out a couple of thorny issues that are facing the opposition coalition ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
The team will discuss the venue of the swearing-in ceremony, the likelihood of violent confrontations with police, the charges Mr Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka could face, and possible reactions by the international community.
NASA does not want Mr Odinga to take an oath in a private residence like Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) did in May 2016, since such action would be taken as an exercise in futility by the Jubilee Party.
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Friday's meeting comes just days after talks between the four principals on Monday and Tuesday, aimed at reaching a common ground on the matter, had ended without a deal. NASA's technical organ has in the meantime moved to dispel rumours of supposed divisions within the party over the oath plan.
On Thursday, the People’s Assembly Organising Committee chairman David Ndii maintained that the swearing-in will go on, but insisted they are open to dialogue.
“It (dialogue) is the only way out of the current political crisis,” he said. “The country must embark on an urgent, honest and far-reaching conversation without which Kenya will not stand for long.”
Mr Odinga on his part vowed to form a rival government after he is sworn in, even if it is based outside the country.
In an interview with Voice of America, the Opposition chief said his oath of office will be based on the results of the August 8, 2017 election, which he claims he won.
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“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 (on the basis of) the August 8 results, which show we won," he said.
The Kenyan government has however stood its ground on the legality of the planned oathing, warning Mr Odinga that he could face treason charges.
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