Thousands of opposition supporters gathered at Uhuru Park in central Nairobi, chanting slogans and waving tree branches at the symbolic "swearing-in" event, which was organized by Odinga's National Super Alliance (NASA). The event was largely peaceful, and the throngs of supporters quickly left the park after proceedings had concluded. In what appear to be an isolated incident, police fired tear gas to try to to disperse crowds pulling down signs near the park. Authorities had earlier said they would put a stop to any illegal meetings, but Reuters reported that no uniformed police could be seen in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles were visible. Afterward, the biography on Odinga's verified Twitter account had been updated to read: "This is the official account of His Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga, President of the Republic of Kenya."Kenyatta won a second presidential term with 98% of the vote following a controversial election rerun in November. The country's Supreme Court nullified the previous ballot, also won by Kenyatta, due to "illegalities and irregularities." Odinga and his opposition party dropped out of the second vote, claiming the election commission had failed to implement any reforms. NASA says it wants to create an alternative government to protest Kenyatta's rule. Some are hoping Tuesday's event will push Kenyatta, who promised to work toward national unity during his second term, to include opposition leaders in dialogue and in his ministerial appointments. But the government has warned that Tuesday's events amount to treason — an offense punishable by death, according to Kenyan law. Related: How Kenya's presidential election unraveled
TV stations switched off
Ahead of the event, three of the country's largest television stations were pulled off air by the government — a move not seen in the country for years. "President Kenyatta expressly threatened to shut down and revoke the licenses of any media that would broadcast the planned purported swearing in of NASA leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday," Kenya Editors Guild Chairman Linus Kaikai said in a statement on Monday night. Local channels KTN, NTV and Citizen television's free-to-air channels were turned off beginning around 10:00 a.m. (2:00 a.m. ET) Tuesday morning. CNN has reached out to the government and is awaiting comment.
Judge: Ceremony is treason
The election-related drama in east Africa's economic hub has been stuttering along for months, and on Tuesday a state of apprehension hung in the air. National newspapers captured the sense of uncertainty: One headline read "Moment of truth," while another read "What to expect on this day of conflict." While not specifically naming Odinga, Attorney General Githu Muigai warned last month that any attempt to hold an alternative swearing-in event amounted to treason. 
"The swearing in of any person not lawfully declared to have won an election by the independent election and boundaries commission, and the swearing in that is not conducted by the chief justice of the Republic of Kenya is a process wholly unanticipated by the constitution and is null and void and illegal," Muigai said. "The criminal law of the Republic of Kenya stipulates that sort of process is high treason … It is high treason of the persons involved, and any other person facilitating that process," he added.
Uncertainty ahead
Observers had feared that Tuesday's protest could lead to more public unrest. But in opposition strongholds — where much of the post-election violence has erupted — it appeared to be business as usual. In Nairobi's Kibera slum, vendors set up their shops and residents went about their day as normal. Jubilant supporters emerged in celebration after Odinga took the symbolic oath. At least 92 people have been killed during the protracted election period, according to a report from Kenya's National Commission on Human Rights. Odinga has been somewhat ambiguous about his future plans. Speaking recently on KTN, he told Kenyans "to hold their horses." "Let them hold their horses they will be told outside the swearing in. We will make an announcement as far as what will happen going forward," Odinga said."We can actually make use of this opportunity in order to bring the people together. That is what we intend to do as the people's government," he said. "We are going to take actions and bring reforms where we will bring the country together."
Original Article
Thousands of opposition supporters gathered at Uhuru Park in central Nairobi, chanting slogans and waving tree branches at the symbolic "swearing-in" event, which was organized by Odinga's National Super Alliance (NASA). The event was largely peaceful, and the throngs of supporters quickly left the park after proceedings had concluded. In what appear to be an isolated incident, police fired tear gas to try to to disperse crowds pulling down signs near the park. Authorities had earlier said they would put a stop to any illegal meetings, but Reuters reported that no uniformed police could be seen in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles were visible. Afterward, the biography on Odinga's verified Twitter account had been updated to read: "This is the official account of His Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga, President of the Republic of Kenya."Kenyatta won a second presidential term with 98% of the vote following a controversial election rerun in November. The country's Supreme Court nullified the previous ballot, also won by Kenyatta, due to "illegalities and irregularities." Odinga and his opposition party dropped out of the second vote, claiming the election commission had failed to implement any reforms. NASA says it wants to create an alternative government to protest Kenyatta's rule. Some are hoping Tuesday's event will push Kenyatta, who promised to work toward national unity during his second term, to include opposition leaders in dialogue and in his ministerial appointments. But the government has warned that Tuesday's events amount to treason — an offense punishable by death, according to Kenyan law. Related: How Kenya's presidential election unraveled
TV stations switched off
Ahead of the event, three of the country's largest television stations were pulled off air by the government — a move not seen in the country for years. "President Kenyatta expressly threatened to shut down and revoke the licenses of any media that would broadcast the planned purported swearing in of NASA leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday," Kenya Editors Guild Chairman Linus Kaikai said in a statement on Monday night. Local channels KTN, NTV and Citizen television's free-to-air channels were turned off beginning around 10:00 a.m. (2:00 a.m. ET) Tuesday morning. CNN has reached out to the government and is awaiting comment.
Judge: Ceremony is treason
The election-related drama in east Africa's economic hub has been stuttering along for months, and on Tuesday a state of apprehension hung in the air. National newspapers captured the sense of uncertainty: One headline read "Moment of truth," while another read "What to expect on this day of conflict." While not specifically naming Odinga, Attorney General Githu Muigai warned last month that any attempt to hold an alternative swearing-in event amounted to treason. "The swearing in of any person not lawfully declared to have won an election by the independent election and boundaries commission, and the swearing in that is not conducted by the chief justice of the Republic of Kenya is a process wholly unanticipated by the constitution and is null and void and illegal," Muigai said. "The criminal law of the Republic of Kenya stipulates that sort of process is high treason … It is high treason of the persons involved, and any other person facilitating that process," he added.
Uncertainty ahead
Observers had feared that Tuesday's protest could lead to more public unrest. But in opposition strongholds — where much of the post-election violence has erupted — it appeared to be business as usual. In Nairobi's Kibera slum, vendors set up their shops and residents went about their day as normal. Jubilant supporters emerged in celebration after Odinga took the symbolic oath. At least 92 people have been killed during the protracted election period, according to a report from Kenya's National Commission on Human Rights. Odinga has been somewhat ambiguous about his future plans. Speaking recently on KTN, he told Kenyans "to hold their horses." "Let them hold their horses they will be told outside the swearing in. We will make an announcement as far as what will happen going forward," Odinga said."We can actually make use of this opportunity in order to bring the people together. That is what we intend to do as the people's government," he said. "We are going to take actions and bring reforms where we will bring the country together."
Original Article
