Kenyan opposition leader swears himself in as ‘president’

Ralia Odinga, Kenyan opposition leader, has sworn himself in as an alternative president.

Odinga supporters attended the ceremony which held in Nairobi, the country’s capital.

Security was tight in Nairobi as government shut down independent TV stations to prevent the programme from being aired.

On Monday, Linus Kaikai, chairman of the Kenya Editors Guild, said senior editors had been summoned by the authorities and warned not to cover the event or risk being shut down.

Odinga, 72, was delighted when President Uhuru Kenyatta second-term victory was annulled while he refused to take part in the election re-run, claiming the government planned to rig the vote.

Kenyatta won with 98 percent.

Odinga postponed a previous effort to swear himself in but his party had insisted that Tuesday’s event will take place.

“We intend to hold a peaceful event, in total compliance with the constitution and the law,” read a statement from the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition.

“We nonetheless wish to put the Jubilee (party) administration on notice that we will accomplish our mission come hell or high water.”