Police withdraw from Uhuru Park as crowds arrive for 'swearing in'

A major stand-off looms in the city over the planned 'swearing in' of the National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka. The State has termed the event unconstitutional.

Police had vowed to barricade Uhuru Park, the planned venue of the 'swearing in' however, they have since withdrawn.

Extra security

Extra security officers have been called in from counties adjacent to the city to boost operations. Sources said plainclothes officers had been asked to enhance patrols in the city ahead of today's event.

"Whoever is thinking of coming to Uhuru Park, tell him or her not to attempt. We will not allow it. I will be accused of omission (of duty) if I fail to stop the meetings," said Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome.

Separately, British multinational security services company G4S issued a security brief to its staff and clients outlining scenarios of normalcy and heightened tension for the day.

According to G4S, a normalcy scenario will happen if the Opposition opts out and decides not to continue with the scheduled 'swearing in' ceremony or if the Government decides to let the meeting proceed without intervention.

"Civil disorder will occur if any attempt is made to block suspected Opposition supporters from accessing the Uhuru Park grounds. As has been seen in the past, areas like Mathare, Kawangware, Kibera, Huruma and Dandora would be affected."

A high tension scenario will happen when "persons or groups of persons take this opportunity to spark chaos".

Already, some schools in the city have advised parents to keep their children at home because their security cannot be guaranteed.

A number of businesses and office are expected to stay closed for the day as people monitor the situation.

The State has also threatened any media outlets that broadcast the event live with imminent closure and revocation of operating licences.

NASA leaders have said they will go to Uhuru Park today.

“Tupatane Uhuru Park kesho (let us meet at Uhuru Park tomorrow (today),” said Raila Odinga as he left the Milimani Law Courts yesterday after attending the hearing of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino's election petition.

He was in court for about 30 minutes and said a committee was in charge of today's event. He directed any questions to the committee members.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi were at the Machakos Law Courts in the morning attending the hearing of a petition by Wavinya Ndeti, who lost the Machakos County governorship to Alfred Mutua.

Official visit

Bungoma Senator and Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula was airborne, flying from France on an official visit.

Top church leaders also waded in and exhorted the politicians to reconsider their stance.

John Cardinal Njue expressed concern over the grandstanding between the two political protagonists.

“How pleasant it would be if our leaders embraced objective dialogue and avoided confrontations! What message are they sending to the young generation? The confrontation will not bring peace, harmony and unit, which we seek. We still pray that reason may prevail and the leaders will sit down for an objective dialogue,” he said.

Anglican Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit called for tolerance when dealing with the Opposition.

“I am appealing to the Government not to engage NASA supporters in any form of confrontation. NASA supporters just like any other Kenyans, must be provided with a conducive environment so they can peacefully conduct their ceremony,” said Mr Sapit.

National Assembly Leader of Majority Aden Duale also weighed in on the matter.

“Tomorrow’s (today's) function according to Jubilee Party will just be a political rally for the Opposition, which is not anchored in any law. It seems NASA just wants to massage the political ego of Raila and Kalonzo,” said Duale.

He said Kenyans went through an election last year that culminated in the swearing-in of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“What now remains is the Jubilee (Party) to build an inclusive government while the Opposition plays an oversight role between now and 2022.”

Duale He called on those entrusted to secure the country and people’s property to do so.

Police benevolence

"If we ever relied on the benevolence of the police as a country, we would not have achieved anything democratically, nor would we have the new constitution,” said Mr Magaya.

"We have no intention of changing our venue. The only option is Uhuru Park. When it comes to the swearing in, we are doing everything as set out in the Constitution.”

Magaya urged Opposition supporters not to engage in violence while attending the event even as the coalition asked them to carry white cloths as a sign of peace.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja called for tolerance, saying the 'swearing in was inconsequential.

“After Raila and Kalonzo are 'sworn in'', it will be just the same because it won’t change anything as they will not have instruments of power to run the country. They have to wait for another time,” Mr Sakaja said.

In related developments, the Nairobi Business Community yesterday said it had cancelled the initiation ceremony to circumcise street boys in Uhuru Park today.

The group performed some rituals at the public park yesterday evening "to prevent any bloodshed". Earlier, there were reports that the group had booked the venue to perform the rite.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria denied that they had planned their event to deny NASA a chance to swear in Raila and Kalonzo.

Nairobi Business Community chairman Wilfred Kimani asked Nairobians to go about their business, as usual, saying they would protect them.

Mixed reactions

Across the capital, there were mixed feelings about today's planned event.

Lucy Makokha, 32, a small-scale trader in the populated Kawangware informal settlement, expressed fear about the event.

“Whatever they are doing, they should not kill innocent and unarmed supporters. They are Kenyans and should be treated so. We hope there will be no violence,” she said.

Elsewhere, one person died and another escaped with serious injuries in Kisumu County when hundreds of youths fought while scrambling to board a hired bus to Uhuru Park.

The youths stoned each other at the Kisumu ODM offices after they realised they could not all fit in the two buses hired to ferry them to the planned swearing-in ceremony. Another youth was rushed to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital after a bus ran over him, crushing his leg.