Seven Raila Odinga key quotes ahead of his contentious Tuesday swearing in

 Raila Odinga during the interview in the sunroom on one wing of his family house

Raila says no one has reached out to him over dialogue on the political quagmire He made several key quotes as he gave an exclusive interview to the Sunday Standard at his Karen home

Sitting in his favourite spot at his house in Karen, Nairobi, dressed in a dark blue blazer, light blue shirt and beige khaki pants, Raila Odinga could easily pass for the poster boy of calmness.

Nothing on him or around him points to the fact that he is currently in the eye of Kenya’s biggest political storms that has claimed dozens of lives, and threatens to turn the 54-year-old country upside down.

Other than the five key changes he is pushing for, here are seven key quotes that Raila made in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Standard:

On whether he will storm State House:

“People ask if I will storm State House after the ceremony but I want to tell them this is just a means to an end. To show we have the numbers to push for electoral reforms and justice.”

On his insistence on a parliamentary system:

“A presidential system cannot work in an ethnically polarised country like ours. It is only a parliamentary system that can ensure even someone from the minority rises to the top.”

On his push for justice and democracy:

“Things just don’t change for the better on their own. There are people who paid the price for both freedom young people now enjoy.”

 Raila Odinga insists he will go on with his Tuesday swearing in despite it being contentious

On Supreme Court’s second ruling:

“The Supreme Court was blackmailed to give the seal of approval.”

On Kalonzo’s absence:

“I would like him to be part of what we will do on Tuesday but we understand his situation. His party will come up with an amicable proposal for that day.”

On AG Githu Muigai warning him of treason charges:

“He should know I have been charged with treason before, spent six months in Kamiti and the state entered a nolle prosequi because they couldn’t prove the charges. He should not touch that button.”

On whether Uhuru Kenyatta has reached out to him:

“There has been no attempt at all. It takes two to tango. You cannot negotiate alone.”