REVEALED: Raila Was Not to be Sworn in as President

The National Super Alliance (NASA) on Sunday postponed Raila Odinga's swearing-in that was scheduled for December 12 and it has now emerged that he was not to be sworn in as President.

Odinga's advisor, Salim Lone, on Tuesday revealed that even if the former Prime Minister would have gone ahead with his plans, he would not have any power over the army or Treasury.

The President is the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces and Odinga would not enjoy this privilege thus he would be powerless.

[caption caption="Salim Lone"][/caption]

Lone, however, stated that despite such an outcome, Odinga would still enjoy a degree of influence due to his popularity among Kenyans.

"While their dismay over the swearing-in is entirely understandable, Nasarites should recognize that Raila and their leadership can still do everything that they think is needed without having been sworn in.

"Those sworn in were not going to have command of the nation’s armed forces, or of the Treasury. Raila and NASA’s greatest strength is the number of Kenyans who back them.

"Whether as a symbolically sworn-in President or as NASA leader, he can call them to assemble or demonstrate peacefully to back up justified demands that could paralyze government and business.

"Biting economic boycotts could still be organized against more business operations that support dictatorship or other unlawful actions," stated Lone.

The United States praised the Opposition leader for shelving plans to swear him in as the ‘People’s President’, terming the move a positive step towards national dialogue.

US ambassador Robert Godec on Monday stated that Mr Odinga’s decision to put on hold his controversial event was welcome.

[caption caption="US Ambassador Robert Godec"][/caption]

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