NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga on Tuesday revealed that Jubilee leaders sent emissaries to him to call off the memorial service for those who were killed following the disputed August 8 and October 26 election.
He said the messengers tried to reach out to him for negotiations towards ending the political stalemate in the country, which has left Kenyans deeply divided along ethnic lines.
Raila scoffed at, what he termed as propaganda, claims that Jubilee held discussions with his brother Oburu Oginga regarding the divisions around the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta for a second term.
“They (Jubilee) are the ones desperate for the discussions and keep sending emissaries to that end. I have said repeatedly that I am ready for discussions with Uhuru if these concern the issue of electoral justice, the lack of which is destroying Kenya’s stability,” he said.
Raila, in a statement sent to newsrooms by his adviser Salim Lone, said: “No other dialogue is possible until that fundamental issue of the illegitimacy of the president is resolved.”
Uhuru was sworn in at Kasarani Stadium in a ceremony that was graced by over 10 African heads of state.
Raila said the emissaries had reached out to try to negotiate with him to call off the NASA’s planned memorial service which was planned for the same time as Uhuru’s inauguration.
He said the use of the delegation showed how “Uhuru is totally out of touch with Kenyans” and his (Raila’s) own views.
“Right now, his biggest concern was that dignitaries who came for the coronation should not see the depth of opposition against him. The memorial service would have made this obvious.”
The Opposition chief said NASA will proceed with its People’s Assembly programme in push for new elections. The team boycotted the October 26 vote calling it a sham, charade and a “birthday gift to the president.”
“Such a boycott had never happened before. Kenyans will never again participate in an election that is not guaranteed to be free and fair. This unprecedented democratic determination has made our struggle for electoral justice a beacon of hope for all those on the continent who live in countries where democracy has been squashed for decades,” Raila said.
He further claimed police shot five people during protests at Manyanja Road as the NASA motorcade was trying to wend its way to the memorial service at Jacaranda Grounds.
The ODM leader claimed that among those shot was his daughter Winnie Odinga’s driver adding that the police were constantly tracking his car and the vehicles of other NASA principals.
“This regime has no problem with killing Kenyans. Lacking popular support, it thinks killing and the use of massive force is what will curb the massive opposition that its unlawful reign faces,” he said.
-the-star.co.ke
