Interim government can save Kenya, says Raila

NASA leader Raila Odinga. (Photo: Courtesy)

NASA leader Raila Odinga is now calling for formation of an interim government to run Kenya for six months if and when he negotiates with President Uhuru Kenyatta to end the country’s political impasse caused by an electoral dispute.

Raila says it will be nearly impossible for Uhuru to govern a country in which almost half the people feel left out and short-changed.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters news agency on Tuesday, Raila said it was only an interim government that could give Kenyans space and time to openly dialogue about the stand off.

“We need to have an interim arrangement of governance involving representatives of both parties and six months will be required to carry out all these changes that we need in our country in order to have proper free and fair election,” said Raila.

Raila said even if Uhuru Kenyatta is sworn in, it will be a beginning of another political impasse even after the Supreme Court clears him.

The NASA leader’s message comes at a time when his co-principals revealed a motion to establish  people’s assemblies had been sent to counties friendly to the opposition.

Raila said he was ready for talks with Uhuru Kenyatta to save Kenya from chaos but would not surrender until  the opposition achieved what it wanted.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Uhuru Kenyatta winner of the October 26 repeat poll, although Raila Odinga withdrew from the race and termed it shambolic.

Four petitions have been filed against Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in the October 26 repeat presidential election ordered by the Supreme Court which annulled the August 8 presidential election on grounds that it was marred by irregularities and illegalities.

Raila’s political bloc, NASA featuring the Orange Democratic Movement, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party, Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Coalition and Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya boycotted the repeat poll.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, however, included Raila’s name on the ballots  which is now a ground in one of the petitions.