Raila succumbed to pressure from religious leaders and the international community

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National Super Alliance (NASA) co-principal Musalia Mudavadi yesterday announced that swearing-in of coalition chief Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as President and Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya scheduled for Tuesday had been postponed to a later date.

He also stated that the launch of the People’s Assembly had been postponed.

“The swearing-in of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as President and Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya and the launch of the People’s Assembly scheduled for Tuesday, 12 December, has been postponed to a later date,” said Mudavadi.

He also thanked Mombasa residents who he said had offered to host the event.

According to The Standard, Raila succumbed to pressure from religious leaders and the international community after weeks of deliberation.

Though President Uhuru has ruled out dialogue with the NASA leader, reports say Raila took note of the talks that were led by the US government, involving the international community.

Also, according to a NASA insider who spoke to The Standard, Raila reasoned with people who requested him to drop his wearing-in plan since he did not want to plunge the country into chaos.

Heavy deployment of police in Opposition strongholds on Jamhuri Day might be another reason why the former Prime Minister postponed the event since inevitably it would have turned violent.

“We are aware this will be a disappointment to the people of Kenya who have been eagerly waiting for the ceremony but let it be clear our resolve has not changed. We have postponed the swearing-in of There will be no ceremony,” added Mudavadi.

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and Kivutha Kibwana, Makueni senator and other officials were in the company of the chief campaigner when he made the announcement at Okoa Kenya offices.