Raila Odinga's swearing-in a recipe for disaster - Expert

Swearing-in main opposition leader, Raila Odinga as President of Kenya could lead to a possible mayhem, Chief Executive Officer of Irbard Security Consult, has predicted.

According to Irbard Ibrahim, the East African country has a record of political violence, hence the planned inauguration of Raila Odinga which has been banned by authorities is yet another recipe for chaos and a repeat of the violence that occurred in 2007 and 2008.

Tension has been brewing in Kenya following nullification of results of a presidential election held in August last year by the Kenya Supreme Court which also called for a re-run that was boycotted by Odinga.

Despite warnings of treason charges by Kenyan authorities, the National Super Alliance (NASA) says it will go ahead and swear-in Raila Odinga as President and Kalonzo Musyoka as his Vice at the Uhuru Park.

In a statement copied to Ghanaweb, the International Relations and Security Expert says he finds the development in Kenya very worrying as many people could die when violence breaks out in the course of the “illegal” inauguration.

He said, “I find it quite troubling that the flag-bearer of the opposition NASA party Mr Raila Odinga would have himself sworn in as President even though he withdrew from the election that saw his main contender President Uhuru Kenyatta emerge winner.”

He called on Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union to intervene and “open negotiations between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Raila Odinga to set up a roadmap for peace”.

Read full statement below

PRESS STATEMENT

SWEARING IN KENYA’S OPPOSITION LEADER RAILA ODINGA COULD LEAD TO CHAOS - Ibrahim Irbard

IGAD AND THE AU SHOULD INTERVENE SWIFTLY

“As an external observer and also a player in the political and security space of East Africa, especially Kenya, I find it quite troubling that the flag-bearer of the opposition NASA party Mr Raila Odinga would have himself sworn in as President even though he withdrew from the election that saw his main contender President Uhuru Kenyatta emerge winner.

Kenya is no stranger to political violence, and I urge restraint on all sides to avoid a repeat of the violence in 2007/2008 that saw many civilians lose lives and limbs.

It is up to the Kenyan constitution to give whatever interpretation it wants to what is seen by some as treasonable and a national security threat. But detaining Raila Odinga could spark off an uncontrollable outbreak of violence.

I urge the regional bloc IGAD and the AU to intervene with dispatch and urgency to open negotiations between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Raila Odinga to set up a roadmap for peace, even if it will mean a power-sharing agreement to prevent potential carnage on the streets of Kenya”

Signed

Irbard Ibrahim

C.E.O

IRBARD SECURITY CONSULT