US, UK want Raila to shelve swearing-in plan

The National Super Alliance on Friday held talks with religious, business leaders and diplomats who wanted its leader Raila Odinga not to go ahead with his planned swearing-in on Tuesday, December 12.

The meeting, held at Capitol Hill, Nairobi, also addressed the need for talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr. Odinga to unlock the current political deadlock.

According to a statement by NASA, the leaders present; Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi and Governor Kivutha Kibwana, expressed commitment and openness to dialogue on specific areas of security sector reforms, securing and strengthening the Judiciary, devolution and governance structure.

“The discussions centred on the need for the government, opposition and all Kenyans to engage in open and
transparent national conversation to address the underlying issues that threaten the nation’s stability and unity following recent elections,” read the statement sent by Mr. Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango.

We are informed that the religious, business leaders and diplomats all were wary of the repercussions the swearing-in would have and tried to talk Odinga down.

“The meeting also reviewed activities planned for December 12, 2017 and agreed on the need to act strictly in accordance with the Constitution,” said the statement.

The diplomats, including US ambassador Mr. Robert Godec, German Ambassador Jutta Frasch and British High Commissioner Mr. Nic Hailey emphasised the commitment of the international community to help Kenya resolve outstanding issues.