This is how NASA was 'played' by the government

The much anticipated swearing in ceremony of the opposition supremos is here with us. There had been expectations of massive encounters between the supporters of the opposition and the state security agencies.

This had been anticipated owing to the fact that the Nairobi police boss had indicated that no group will be allowed access to Uhuru Park. There had been indications of massive security deployments within the city to try and suppress the planned occasions.

However, earlier today there were indicators that the police had ceded ground to allow the opposition to carry out its activities. This is good news for the opposition right? No. This is very bad news for the opposition leaders. Here's why...

The opposition had never really anticipated a situation where they would be allowed to carry out their event. They had anticipated a showdown between its supporters and the police. This would have created room for the opposition leaders to further delay the occasion with an aim of finally getting down to negotiate their terms with the government.

This would have given them an opportunity to cut out a deal and walk away from the swearing-in threats gradually without hurting their supporters. 

Now the NASA leadership finds itself exposed. If I were the leader, I wouldn't go on with the swearing-in exercise as this would badly expose me as a president without a portfolio.

I would very much give the event a wide berth since it only means that the event will be an anti-climax without the input of the state security agencies.

The government has once again managed to outwit the opposition.