President Uhuru Kenyatta has invited his “brother” and arch-rival Raila Odinga to his inauguration on Tuesday, November 28, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Also invited are the six other presidential candidates who had run against Mr Kenyatta in the annulled August 8 race, and the repeat poll on October 26.
OTHERS
“The seven other presidential candidates and their running mates in the last presidential election have been invited for the ceremony,” Mr Joseph Kinyua, the chairman of the 22-member Assumption of Office of the President Committee told journalists at Kasarani on Friday.
The other candidates are Joseph Nyagah and his running mate Moses Marango; Abduba Dida and his running mate Titus Ngetuny; Ekuru Aukot and his running mate Emmanuel Nzai and Japheth Kaluyu and his running mate Muthiora Kariara.
Also on the guests list is Cyrus Jirongo and his running mate Joseph Momanyi; Michael Wainaina and his running mate Miriam Mutua and Mr Odinga’s running mate Kalonzo Musyoka.
“As a state event of the highest importance, the government of Kenya at both levels and across the three branches will be fully represented.”
Mr Odinga withdrew from the October 26 repeat poll protesting lack of electoral reforms, and has since demanded a new election under a new electoral commission.
The other six candidates participated in the re-run and polled less than 0.5 per cent of the total vote.
RALLY
Mr Odinga’s National Super Alliance (Nasa) has reportedly planned a parallel event on Tuesday at the Uhuru Park, an event that Mr Kinyua pleaded with them to shelve.
“As a people who would want us to move together as one, we will plead that it is not necessary to have any other public function that day. We can bring out the issues we want discussed later. We should all work towards a cohesive, united Kenyan society, ” said Mr Kinyua.
He went on: “The swearing-in of the President on Tuesday is a historic day. Any other function will be like me choosing to have tea, and which is my right, but there will be nothing historic about it.”
The inauguration will cost Sh300 million, according to Mr Kinyua.