Kenyan opponent Raila Odinga was sworn in on Tuesday as “president of the people”, despite his electoral defeat in 2017.
The opponent “took office” in front of thousands of supporters gathered in central Nairobi for a ceremony whose broadcast by the media was banned.
“I, Raila Amolo Odinga (…), I take the office of President of the People of the Republic of Kenya, said the opponent after taking an oath, bible in hand. We kept our promise to Kenyans.
However, Attorney General Githu Muigai warned last month that any “investiture” would amount to an act of “treason”, raising the possibility of arresting Mr. Odinga.
According to observers, however, the consequences of Raila Odinga’s swearing-in remain unclear as the opponent did not take the same oath as the one provided for in the Constitution for the inauguration of the Head of State. Raila Odinga proclaimed himself “president of the people” and not “president”.
Mr. Odinga, 72 years old, is a veteran of Kenyan politics who claims that frauds have robbed him of winning the presidential election several times in the past.
He refuses to recognize the re-election last year of incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta after months of unrest where, according to human rights defenders, 92 people have been killed.