Political exclusion risks tearing Kenya apart, says opposition leader
November 10, 2017
By Katharine Houreld*
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance coalition speaks during an interview with Reuters in Nairobi Thomson Reuters
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s main opposition leader said on Thursday that anger over last month’s presidential election ran so deep it threatened to tear the country apart.
Raila Odinga boycotted the Oct. 25 election because he said it would be unfair, leaving President Uhuru Kenyatta to win with 98 percent of the vote. The Supreme Court called the poll after it annulled a first presidential election held in August on procedural grounds.
“Mainstream Kenyans feel so deeply cheated they are openly toying with the idea of secession,” Odinga told an audience in Washington, D.C.
His speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank, was broadcast live on Kenyan television.
A small number of politicians in Odinga’s opposition alliance have discussed the idea of his strongholds seceding from Kenya but the idea has not gained wide popularity.
Odinga’s supporter base is concentrated along Kenya’s coast, in city slums and in his western strongholds, areas that have traditionally felt excluded from political power and the opportunities for patronage it offers.
Odinga’s supporters are currently boycotting three companies they say are backing the government. The opposition has called for protests on Friday.
In his speech, Odinga noted Kenya’s four presidents since independence had all come from the Kikuyu or Kalenjin communities, even though the country had 44 recognized ethnic groups. Kenyatta is a Kikuyu and his deputy, who has made clear his intention to run in the next election, is a Kalenjin.
Earlier this week, Odinga told Reuters he wanted a caretaker government for six months while preparations were made for new elections.
Government officials reject the idea, saying Odinga had his chance to compete in October.
The Supreme Court is due to start hearing petitions on the legality of the October elections next week.
*Reuters
Nkemnji Global Tech
Featured
South Sudan announces environmental audit of oil fields in move to curtail immense pollution
Pan African Visions | January 18, 2021 3:32 am
Cameroon: Donation from Fomunyoh and Partner to Physically Challenged in Kumba
Pan African Visions | January 17, 2021 4:54 pm
Cameroon: Security Beefed up Ahead of CHAN Tournament
Pan African Visions | January 16, 2021 5:56 am
Cameroon: Nkafu Policy Institute Publishes Report on the Effect of BEAC’s Monetary policy
Pan African Visions | January 16, 2021 5:49 am
Recent News
-
MOZAMBIQUE: New measures in Covid-19 Fight
January 18, 2021 3:51 am
-
South Sudan announces environmental audit of oil fields in move to curtail immense pollution
January 18, 2021 3:32 am
-
CHAN 2020: Banga Solomon’s Strike Gives Cameroon Victory against Zimbabwe
January 17, 2021 5:00 pm
-
Cameroon: Donation from Fomunyoh and Partner to Physically Challenged in Kumba
January 17, 2021 4:54 pm
-
Senegal already produces Gas: Investors should look Onshore
January 16, 2021 6:14 am
Leave a Reply