Nasa leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO/FILE
By ABDULHAKIM SHERMAN
newsdesk@reporter.co.ke
The National Super Alliance (Nasa) has been transferred into a resistance movement, the coalition’s presidential candidate Raila Odinga has announced.
Mr Odinga who was addressing Nasa supporters at Uhuru Park in Nairobi said the opposition will not respect a government that was not elected according to the Constitution.
“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty. When there is no justice for the people, there will be no peace for government,” Mr Odinga said.
On October 10, 2017, the NASA presidential candidate announced that he had withdrawn from the fresh presidential poll and his name should not be on ballot.
Mr Odinga also urged NASA supporters to stay home on October 26 as there will be no demonstrations.
“Do not participate in any way in the sham election. Convince your friends, neighbours and everyone else not to participate. Instead, we advise Kenyans who value democracy and justice hold vigil and prayers away from polling stations,” Mr Odinga said.
https://youtu.be/F90XJYziup0
- National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition has been transformed into a resistance movement
- The movement will embark on a national campaign of defiance of illegitimate governmental authority and non-cooperation with all its organs.
- Boycott the goods and services offered by the businesses for whose benefit dictatorship is being established.
- NASA shall convene a People’s Assembly for the purpose of charting our way back to constitutionalism and democracy.
- The movement will also mobilize all progressive forces in the country to ensure that a fresh, free and fair presidential election is organized within 90 days.
The Alliance leaders have been campaigning against the October 26 poll date urging supporters to boycott the repeat presidential election claiming IEBC as constituted is incapable of delivering credible elections. NASA supporters have been holding nationwide demonstrations since Wednesday October 11, the clarion call being ‘No Reform, No Election’.
And United Nations experts have warned that the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Kenyans are at “grave risk” as the country heads into a disputed election. The UN experts urged all sides to exercise restraint.
“We are alarmed by recent reports of threats, intimidation, inflammatory statements, and mob violence contributing to an increasingly hostile political environment as Kenya heads into the repeat presidential election tomorrow,” the experts said.
The UN experts include, Mr Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Ms Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Ms Annalisa Ciampi, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
“This situation poses a grave risk to people’s rights and freedoms and must be urgently addressed. We urge all parties and their followers to show restraint and to prioritise constructive dialogue above all else, and we note that the two main political rivals have called for unity.”
The experts reminded the Kenyan authorities of their duty to investigate fully any allegations of human rights violations, including excessive use of force against peaceful protesters and acts of violence by individuals or groups, including recent attacks against the staff of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
“Kenya has come a long way since the severe post-election violence of 2007, but it cannot risk eroding these great achievements by attacks against independent institutions, such as the electoral commission or the judiciary,” the experts said.
“Elections are the cornerstone of democracy, but this can only hold true if the human rights of all Kenyans are respected in the process.”
