What next after Raila Odinga is sworn-in?

National Super Alliance (NASA) Coalition leader Raila Odinga was on Tuesday, January 30, sworn-in as people’s president as he had promised.

Thousands of NASA supporters thronged Uhuru Park grounds, Nairobi to witness their leader’s Big Day.

However, the question still remains, what happens next after Raila’s swearing-in?

Currently, neither President Uhuru Kenyatta nor the Deputy President William Ruto, have given a statement or any remarks regarding the oath Raila took.

We all saw how Raila was sworn-in, at least most of us did on the digital platforms. What is evident is that he said the words ‘I Raila Amollo Odinga swear to…’ and lifted the Bible. However, for you to be sworn-in as the President of the Republic of Kenya, it takes a lot than that.

Here's Raila Odinga taking his oath;

First, there’s the Constitution which is handed over during the swearing-in ceremony as a symbol that the country is governed by the rule of law, which is supposed to be the guide in the choices the President makes.

Second, the ceremonial sword which is made of stainless steel handle and a gold-coated blade, that is also handed over to the president and is traditionally kept at the office of President in Harambee House, Nairobi.

Third, swearing-in of the president should be done in public before the Chief Justice, or, in the absence of the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice according to the constitution of Kenya 2010.

The instruments of power in the Commonwealth traditions are largely symbolic of the seat of authority and the head of Government.

Speaking during an interview with the Voice of America on Tuesday, January 16, the Opposition leader said that they will form a cabinet and run government even if it will be in exile if the government tried to stop his swearing-in.

“This is no joke. An illegitimate government is in office, and the one that the people actually wanted to be there is outside. On January 30, we will end this. We will be sworn in with the August 8 results that show we won,” he said.

“We can even be a government in exile, one that works from outside. It has happened in other countries. What we are saying is that Kenyans can no longer allow an illegitimate government not elected by the people to rule them. We will work like a government and we will form a Cabinet,” Raila continued during the interview which was done is Swahili.

Now that the government did not stop the oathing ceremony, will Raila still form a government in exile? It’s only logical that he cannot run the Kenyan government as President Kenyatta is already doing the job.