OPINION: Why Raila should stop Jamhuri Day swearing-in plan

It is true that anybody can jump off a fast-moving motorcycle. The trouble, though, starts when you try to land. This means that anyone can engage in any action, but it is the consequence of such an action that will leave a mark on their life.

In reality, anyone can be sworn into office, be it the Chief’s office or as a High School Head teacher. But the idea that Raila will be sworn in as President yet we have Uhuru Kenyatta legally occupying the Presidency is could be considered as treason.

It is apparent Raila was ill-advised to withdraw from the August 26 repeat election. He was not on the ballot on October 26th, leaving the way for Uhuru Kenyatta’s big win and subsequent swearing in on November 28. How then can the former Prime Minister claim he is going to be sworn in yet he was not on ballot? What other election results will he use as basis for his swearing in? He participated in the August 8 Presidential elections, which was ruled null and void by the Supreme Court.

When he withdrew from the poll, Raila was conscious of his actions.

Kenyans may have wanted to genuinely vote for the former Prime Minister but he was not on the ballot. Our law is just and all must abide by it. Without following the Constitution and the law of the land, then we are doomed as a society.

Five years is all that remains for Uhuru Kenyatta to serve this country and Raila will have the chance to talk to the people to elect him in 2022.

For now, the Opposition should focus on serving its democratic role of pointing out the flaws of the ruling party and show alternative leadership. From this, voters may opt to entrust the country’s leadership in their hands come 2022.

But to push forward with the idea of asking the counties to swear Raila as President is absurd. Already the High Court in Kitui has ruled that the People’s Assembly is illegal therefore the county’s plan to swear in the opposition chief is an effort in futility. Kenya has more than 10 counties and what the citizens want is to go back to their businesses and earn an honest living.

A contest of might between Raila’s supporters and the police is long gone. Lives have been lost, now Kenya needs everyone to work hard and join President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto in uplifting the country’s economy. Marginalisation won’t be addressed properly until every citizen is empowered economically.

Forceful overthrow of government has not been fruitful in Kenya. The last time in 1982, Raila ended up in detention and it will be wrong to push the country’s security forces to take similar action against the former Prime Minister, especially after serving this country diligently.

Kenya has gone past the push for civil disobedience. This tired narrative by the Opposition that they don’t recognize Uhuru Kenyatta government has been defeated.

The idea of another person being sworn in as President or assuming Presidential powers other than Uhuru Kenyatta is considered treason under Chapter 63 of the Constitution of Kenya. This is because being sworn-in means overtaking the position of the President. Let Raila focus on transforming his people into a movement and have to reap ultimate gain of pushing for electoral reforms ahead of 2022 polls.

The government should rightly ignore NASA’s strategy because it will have no impact on the progress the country is making democratically and economically. There are better ways of demanding dialogue and incorporation into Jubilee government.