Kenyan opposition leader sworn in as ‘people’s president’

– Police steer clear –

Odinga, a veteran opposition leader, has refused to accept Kenyatta’s re-election, which came after a deeply divisive 2017 polls season in which rights activists say at least 92 people were killed.

First was an election on August 8, won by Kenyatta and then annulled in a historic decision by the Supreme Court, which ordered a re-run on October 26.

Claiming the poll would not be fair, Odinga boycotted the second vote and Kenyatta won with 98 percent.

Observers had said that the swearing-in would only further divide the nation and the crackdown on press freedom is likely to add to concerns about the state of Kenyan democracy.

While government and police had initially vowed to block the inauguration, officers kept their distance on the day.

“Let them have the park and carry on with their political activities as long as it is within the law,” a senior officer said.

“We are not interested in unnecessary confrontations.”

– ‘People’s assemblies’ –

At the Uhuru Park venue, a middle-aged businessman in a suit who did not want to give his name, told AFP the swearing-in was highly symbolic.

“There is a psychological benefit that people feel their voices are heard, but more important it will mark the real start of our resistance,” he said.

“The government has completely detached itself from the people, but what are the instruments of power without the people?”

Since boycotting the re-run poll, citing a lack of reform at the election commission, the National Super Alliance (NASA) strategy has been to challenge Kenyatta’s legitimacy by seeking to establish parallel government structures.

Opposition politicians have convened so-called “people’s assemblies” in some counties and the inauguration of Odinga as “people’s president” is seen as the culmination of this process.

The International Crisis Group warned in a statement that both Odinga and Kenyatta “are playing a high-stakes game of brinkmanship.”

“Given deep social polarisation and a history of violent clashes between protesters and police, the two leaders’ actions could result in significant bloodshed. They need to pull back.”

The group said Kenyatta — who has rejected all efforts to engage with his rival — should agree to an audit of the electoral authorities, while leaders should engage on reforms to lower the stakes of political competition.

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