NASA postpones announcement on Raila swearing-in venue

The National Super Alliance (NASA) has postponed the much-awaited announcement of the venue for the ‘swearing in’ of opposition leader Raila Odinga as the ‘people’s president’.

NASA leaders were set to announce the venue at 2pm on Sunday, December 10, but the pronouncement was pushed to Monday, December 11, following a closed-door meeting held by a section of NASA officials including strategist David Ndii, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ongwen and NASA strategy committee member Koitamet Ole Kina at the Okoa Kenya offices.

With less than 48 hours to the event, the opposition coalition continues to closely guard details on the venue and list of guests invited to the oathing of its leaders which is set to take place in a parallel ceremony to the country’s Jamhuri Day.

After keeping journalists waiting for the address, the NASA leaders only sent a text message informing the press that the announcement on the venue would be issued tomorrow at around 11am.

The opposition is said to be grappling with among other issues, whether it should proceed with the ceremony in absence of Mr Musyoka, who is in Germany attending to his wife who is still unwell. Among the options in consideration is to have Musyoka, who was Mr Odinga’s running mate in the August election, sworn in while in Germany or have him take the ‘oath of office’ at a later date.

NASA’s Tuesday program is fashioned as a national event starting with the signing of the national anthem, heightening possibilities of yet another showdown with police.

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on Mr. Odinga to stop his controversial swearing-in, with behind the scenes talks underway to forestall the event, which security organs are determined to obstruct.

Diplomats and the clergy are said to be seeking the president’s audience to broker a possible face-to-face meeting between Odinga and Kenyatta.

The opposition has left people guessing on the venue with speculations abound that the event could take place outside Nairobi in one of the opposition’s key strongholds.