NASA led by Raila Odinga has notified police of its plan to hold a mass memorial service at the Jacaranda grounds in Embakasi, Nairobi, on Tuesday, the same day President Uhuru Kenyatta will be sworn-in at Kasarani.
In the letter to Embakasi OCS, by E. Sifuna acting for NASA, the Opposition warned that they would hold police responsible in case anyone was harmed during the rally. According to the coalition, they would pray with families whose relatives were allegedly killed by police officers in the last three weeks.
“Our clients shall hold a memorial on November 28 for the innocent Kenyans who met their untimely deaths at the hands of the police and regime-sponsored killer gangs in the past few weeks. “The coalition shall hold your officers personally responsible for any harm to any of its supporters or attendees during the memorial," part of the letter by Sifuna read.However, the Opposition is set to clash with police after Nairobi Commander Japheth Koome who mentioned that they would only allow Kenyatta's swearing-in and no other meeting on Tuesday. At the same time, the President and his deputy William Ruto asked politicians to use the country’s diversity for national good instead of abusing it for personal gain.The Head of State noted that the celebrations at Kasarani will not be about winning an election but about Kenyans celebrating their diversity, peace and unity.
"Within the political world, it is normal to have political differences but that does not mean we can’t co-exist and live together in peace,” the President said.Kenyatta spoke after attending a Thanksgiving Sunday service at the Redeem Gospel Church in Huruma.