Kenyan opposition transforms into national resistance movement

25 Octobre 2017

Nairobi, Kenya, October 25 (Infosplusgabon) - Kenya's main opposition alliance said Wednesday it was transforming into a national resistance movement and embarking immediately on a programme of civil disobedience and economic sabotage on 27 Oct, a day after a repeat Presidential election which it abandoned, its leaders said.

National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga said the alliance was transforming into a resistance movement because the government was violating the constitution and attempting to install itself in power through "electoral autocracy."

"We shall use our power to defend the constitution. We shall not recognise the government formed after this election and we shall not respect all orders from all of them," said Odinga during a parked rally at Uhuru Park.

Odinga called on the supporters of the movement not to participate in the election. Members of the opposition alliance were asked to stay vigil away from polling stations.

"Let us deny this blood thirsty regime a chance to make us its shooting targets," Odinga said, describing the election scheduled for Thursday as a coup.

The main opposition said it would not recognise the election because the outcome was already predetermined.

According to Odinga, the alliance would continue on a campaign of non-cooperation with the government and all government agencies, because Thursday's poll would be another attempt to actualise electoral dictatorship.

He also called on his supporters to embrace the resistance against injustices committed by the ruling Jubilee Alliance of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The East African nation's political crisis appeared to have deepen on the eve of election.

The Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Wafula Chebukati, said the staff members of the electoral body were facing threats and one staff member had his house burnt down.

Chebukati regretted that the task of midwifing a democratic transition of power had itself become more riskier than war.

He said he recognised the right to protest was part of the rights guaranteed by law.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/TRE/GABON 2017

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