Kenya opposition announces alliance to oust president Kenyatta

By Magdalene Mukami and Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya

Yesterday’s marks the beginning of people of Kenya taking their destiny into their own hands, opposition leader says

The Kenyan opposition has announced a new alliance aimed at defeating President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Thousands of Kenyans from different political parties met in the capital Nairobi Wednesday for a meeting led by former premier and leader of Opposition of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).

The CORD aims to merge more than five political parties to form the National Super Alliance (NASA) to oust Kenyatta from power in the Aug. 8 general elections.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga said the super alliance will defeat Kenyatta’s ruling Jubilee party.

“Today marks the beginning of the people of Kenya taking their destiny into their own hands in a final bid to preserve our nation; we invited you here to discuss the most important element of our politics,” Odinga said.

Odinga compared the merger to the one in 2002 which successfully removed former President Daniel Torotich Arap Moi from power after ruling for 24 years.

He accused the government of delaying the release of identification cards to all eligible voters over the age of 18 and urged for a quick process to ensure elections were held fairly.

Odinga told his supporters the party will revisit the issue over the amended electoral law approved by Kenyatta on Monday within a month. This comes days after the opposition vowed to carry out nationwide protests if the law which is alleged to help the president rig the 2017 elections is passed.

If he wins the election, Odinga plans to amend the constitution, accommodate and include the positions of a prime minister, two deputy prime ministers among other changes to reward faithful politicians from his alliance.