Revealed: Five options Raila could explore if he wants the government to give into demands

National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga can only explore six options if he intends to use legal means to push the coalition’s agenda further.

According to Political Analyst and Lawyer Martin Oloo, the former Prime Minister has to settle on one of six things – which all in some way involve acceptance that Uhuru Kenyatta is the President.

One of the things Raila could do is to simply agree that Uhuru won, re-organize himself and his team for a better contest in 2022. The 2017 presidential election seemingly looked like Raila’s last shot at the Presidency and contesting again might be a tall order for him.

The other thing Raila could do is use the People’s Assembly to play the role of Chief of Opposition. Raila could pressure the current administration into dialogue through this assembly, but only as the opposition leader.

Oloo emphasized Raila’s next option, saying that the NASA head could still vie in 2022 or endorse another principal to be flagbearer. He said at the moment, no legal framework supported the holding of another election and that the former Premier needs to re-think his strategies. “If he wants to go the People’s Assembly way, let him go the full hog and this might lead to a referendum,” added Oloo.

Raila could also push for the amendment of the constitution, which might accommodate NASA’s needs. The coalition expressed their displeasure with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and even demanded the removal of Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba. Their efforts were to no avail and even worsened after the CEO openly said that he would not step down.

NASA could also continue frustrating the government through the National Resistance Movement until their demands are met.

In his inauguration speech, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that he had initiated the process of dialogue with political leaders across the political divide though it is unknown if he has contacted the NASA leader.

Speaking to BBC in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, Raila said that no contact had been made between him and the president – who was busy with his ‘coronation’.