Youths block roads leading to Kondele on November 20, 2017. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By OUR REPORTER
newsdesk@reporter.co.ke
Supreme Court decision upholding President Kenyatta’s win was given under duress National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga has claimed.
In a statement issued by, Mr Salim Lone, his media and communications advisor, Mr Odinga said Nasa considers the Jubilee government of President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto as be illegitimate and do not recognize it.
“We in NASA had repeatedly declared before this Supreme Court ruling today that we consider this government to be illegitimate and do not recognize it. This position has not been changed by the Court ruling, which did not come as a surprise. It was a decision taken under duress. We do not condemn the Court, we sympathize with it,” Mr Odinga said.
Mr Kenyatta’s victory in the October 26 election was upheld by unanimous ruling by six Supreme Court judges.
The opposition leaders said the Supreme Court met under severely constrained circumstances, having failed to raise a quorum over serious security concerns following the shooting and wounding of the Deputy Chief Justice’s driver/bodyguard before a crucial pre-October 26th election hearing.
“As such, the Court’s decision today could not possibly legitimize an illegitimate government whose president had publicly accused the Court of having carried out a “coup” by annulling his election and threatened to “fix” the justices once he was back in power,” he said.
Mr Odinga spokes as Supreme Court’s decision upholding the re-election of President Kenyatta touched off violent demonstrations in different parts of the country perceived opposition strongholds.
In Kisumu, parts of Nairobi, supporters of Mr Odinga and Naasa took to the streets to express their disappointment with the Supreme Court judgment.
The demos turned violent in some parts of Nyanza, Mr Odinga’s home turf, and Kibera and Mathare slums in the capital Nairobi.
In Kisumu, a car was set ablaze in Kondele slums moments after chaos broke out in the lakeside city in the wake of the apex court’s judgment.
Youths barricaded roads leading into and leaving Kisumu central business district with burning tyres and rocks.
They accosted three occupants of this saloon car, beat and mugged them before vandalising and setting the vehicle alight.PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The trio ran to the Kondele Police Station to save their lives.
Businesses around Kondele and Kibuye closed in a huff out of fear of looting.
Parts of Kisumu CBD were, however, calm after the court’s decision.
In Migori county, residents expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision.
And supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta broke out in song and dance in different parts of the country as they celebrated the Supreme Court decision to uphold his re-election.
Mr Kenyatta’s supporters simultaneously flooded streets in various towns, including Nairobi’s central business district, as they cheered, honked car and motorcycle horns and danced, while others prayed.
In Nakuru County, supporters cheered and blew vuvuzelas as some held up loaves of bread as they celebrated.
Youths stormed most parts of Thika Road as they celebrated Jubilee’s victory.
Jubilee supporters in Budalang’i, Busia County, also marched in the streets to celebrate the court’s decision.
