Opposition leaders in Kenya say they will go ahead with a ceremony to swear in Raila Odinga as “president of the people” at a mass meeting “come hell or high water”.
The National Super Alliance (Nasa) is planning to hold the ceremony in Uhuru Park in Nairobi around noon on Tuesday.
The move is likely to lead to fresh confrontations in Kenya, three months after Uhuru Kenyatta won a new five-year term as president in a controversial re-run election. The opposition boycotted the poll, saying it was not free or fair.
Government lawyers have described the opposition ceremony as treason and it was unclear if police would allow supporters to gather until hours before the meeting was due to be held.
“We intend to hold a peaceful event, in total compliance with the constitution and the law. We therefore advise those attending this historic event to observe peace and avoid confrontation with police officers at all costs. We nonetheless wish to put the [government] on notice that we will accomplish our mission come hell or high water,” Nasa said in a statement on Monday night.
By mid-morning, several hundred opposition supporters had gathered, fewer than anticipated by organisers. Some complained police had obstructed their journey to the ceremony.
Authorities appear to have opted for a media blackout of the event, rather than deploy police to stop or disperse the meeting.
For more read the full of article at The Guardian
