Copy-Kenya says 'swearing-in' of Odinga would be seen as treason

Kenya's opposition leader is rejecting U.S. advice to cancel a planned mock inauguration of him as president, saying he doesn't recognize the legitimacy of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

News 12 Staff

Dec 7, 2017, 11:25 AM

Updated 2,339 days ago

Share:

Copy-Kenya says 'swearing-in' of Odinga would be seen as treason
By The Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Kenya's attorney general warned Thursday that the opposition's move to "inaugurate" its leader Raila Odinga next week to protest the recent presidential election would amount to treason.
Attorney General Githu Muigai's comments came a day after the United States urged Odinga's supporters to call off the mock "swearing-in" on Dec. 12, the country's independence day.
The opposition objects to President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election after months of political turmoil that included a nullified August election and a repeat vote in October, saying that electoral reforms have not been made.
The attorney general warned that institutions created by Odinga's group such as "the People's Assembly" are unconstitutional and illegal and "may be visited by the full force of the law."
Odinga on Thursday rejected the U.S. advice to cancel next week's event, saying he doesn't recognize the legitimacy of Kenyatta as president.
Odinga also repeated his accusations against Kenya security forces, saying dozens of people have been killed in the months of election unrest and "nobody is talking about it. Yet they have the audacity to come and advise us to forget and move on."
The opposition leader spoke outside a morgue in the capital, Nairobi, while accompanying families collecting bodies of alleged victims.
The U.S. Embassy statement on Wednesday called Odinga's planned inauguration "extra-constitutional." It came as the top U.S. official for African affairs, Donald Yamamoto, visited the East African economic hub and met with government officials and opposition leaders.
Odinga's National Super Alliance has said it will proceed with the event.
Odinga successfully challenged Kenyatta's August re-election but then boycotted the new vote in October, demanding electoral reforms. Kenyatta won with over 98 percent of the votes and was inaugurated last week.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


More from News 12
1:40
NYPD: 1 person dead, another injured in overnight double shooting in Brownsville

NYPD: 1 person dead, another injured in overnight double shooting in Brownsville

1:43
STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy conditions for NYC; tracking rain during the weekend

STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy conditions for NYC; tracking rain during the weekend

1:53
Brooklyn-based program helps teens stay away from trouble by teaching life skills

Brooklyn-based program helps teens stay away from trouble by teaching life skills

1:33
Bushwick resident expresses concern about air pollution following Bushwick supermarket fire

Bushwick resident expresses concern about air pollution following Bushwick supermarket fire

0:29
Video captures moment NYPD officer rescues kitten in Brooklyn

Video captures moment NYPD officer rescues kitten in Brooklyn

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

1:55
Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

1:59
Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

1:41
New survey highlights challenges for migrants

New survey highlights challenges for migrants

1:55
PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

0:43
2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

4:14
'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

0:39
Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

2:03
New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

0:32
NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

0:23
Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows