NASA holds first rally after Odinga oath

National Super Alliance leaders on Sunday held a rally in Baba Dogo, Nairobi where they took a swipe at the government over what they termed as harassment and arbitrary arrest of opposition politicians.

Vowing to continue with their push for change in the country, the leaders declared that they would match to Nairobi Central Police Station on Tuesday, February 6 to record statements on Odinga’s ‘swearing in’ which the government says its probing.

“We will not act in fear. We have the strength to push this country forward. We were arrested during the Kenyatta regime, the Moi era and some of us were also arrested during the Kibaki regime. So we cannot be intimidated by Uhuru Kenyatta,” said Orengo.

“And so that the whole world can see that we went to Uhuru Park for the swearing in on our own volition, on Tuesday we are all heading to Central Police Station and the Chief Attorney will be James Orengo,” said the Siaya Senator.

The gathering was the first rally the opposition brigade was holding since the controversial swearing in of NASA leader Raila Odinga as the ‘People’s President.

Leaders present at the event included Senator Orengo, Minority Leader John Mbadi, MPs TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North), George Aladwa (Makadara), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Antony Oluoch (Mathare), Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris among others.

The NASA co-principals were not present at the event, which comes amid an ongoing government crackdown on organizers and facilitators of last Tuesday’s ‘oathing’ ceremony.

Senator Orengo said Mr. Odinga, who was expected to lead the rally, was held up in a meeting with foreign dignitaries in Nairobi.

Despite several opposition leaders being arrested, their security detail withdrawn and firearm licences revoked, the NASA team maintains it will not be intimidated.

On Saturday, Deputy President William Ruto shared a podium with the opposition leaders where both sides showed no signs of blinking.

Speaking at the burial of the late Yvonne Wamalwa, Ruto maintained that Jubilee was not ready for any power sharing dialogue even as NASA leaders vowed to continue to push for changes.