“We’re not paying any attention to such a declaration,” Mr. Lone said.

Earlier in the day, police officers and officials from the Communications Authority of Kenya descended on a broadcast transmission station in Limuru, about 18 miles outside Nairobi, the capital, and disconnected broadcasting equipment, according to Linus Kaikai, the chairman of the Kenya Editors Guild and the general manager of the television division at Nation Media Group, which owns NTV, one of the three channels disconnected.

Mr. Kaikai said that the authorities had disabled the equipment shortly before 9 a.m. “There was no explanation given,” he said.

Repeated calls to multiple officials at the Communications Authority were not returned.

The television blackout and the criminal designation seemed to add legitimacy to Mr. Odinga’s oath, which some observers had earlier dismissed as political theater.

“We’ve urged them to ignore it, to downplay it,” said one Western diplomat, who asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. “It has no legal or practical effect, so the best solution here would be to just ignore the entire thing. But they’re not doing that.”

Mr. Njoka, the Interior Ministry spokesman, described the oath as an assault on legitimate government. He also said the government had “good reasons” for interrupting television broadcasts of the gathering.

“The government had to do what it did because the lives of Kenyans are more important than what you call freedom of the press or what might turn out to be an inciting broadcast,” he said.</s>NASA leader Raila Odinga was ‘sworn in’ as people’s president of Kenya Tuesday afternoon at the Nairobi’s Uhuru Park in the absence of his deputy Kalonzo Musyoka.

The Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was expected to take oath with Raila Odinga since the presidency is a joint ticket of president and deputy president.

ALSO READ: ‘Swearing-in’ ceremony is still on, Raila assures supporters

Speaking shortly after taking ‘oath’, Raila said the event marks the end of electoral injustice in Kenya, adding that Kalonzo will be ‘sworn-in’ at a later date.

Other NASA principals Moses Wetang’ula and Musalia Mudavadi were also missing as Raila ‘took oath’.

All the NASA principals have been pushing for the swearing in of the NASA leader, in an attempt to achieve electoral justice. The opposition had rejected to recognize Uhuru Kenyatta as president of Kenya after he was declared winner of the October 26 repeat election. NASA followers in action before the swearing in of Raila Odinga at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on 30/01/2018. (Jenipher Wachie,Standard)

The opposition postponed the swearing in last year on Jamhuri Day December 12, explaining that they had to wait for Kalonzo who was in Germany by then attending to his sick wife.

Before postponing the swearing in, NASA said they were either to swear in Raila alone as Kalonzo is sworn in later, wait for Kalonzo to come before swearing in both of them or they take representatives to swear Kalonzo in Germany. After consultations, they decided to postpone the swearing in, a decision that left majority of NASA supporters disappointed.

Supporters expected Raila to be sworn in with Kalonzo Tuesday afternoon but Kalonzo did not show up. Tuesday morning, Kalonzo had said they were still consulting before the oath is conducted as scheduled. Kalonzo had also condemned Communications Authority for shutting down national TV stations KTN News, Citizen and NTV at a time when Kenyans were supposed to witness the swearing in.

Attorney General Githu Muigai had warned NASA leaders against taking oath, saying that they risk committing high treason whose penalty is death.

NASA dismissed Muigai’s warning, insisting that they were operating within the law. Later, Raila Odinga said he was ready to die if that is what it takes to pay for fighting against electoral injustices in the country.

ALSO READ: Kenyans react to 'swearing in' of the people’s president</s>The much-hyped 'swearing in' ceremony of Raila Odinga has elicited mixed reactions as Kenyans on Twitter expressed what they feel about the event.

This is after opposition leaders insisted on proceeding with the 'swearing in' of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as the people’s president and deputy president of the people of Kenya at Uhuru Park; despite warnings from government and police about illegalities surrounding the event.

ALSO READ: State of affairs ahead of Raila 'oath' (Videos)

Using the hashtag #NASASwearingIn some Kenyans supported the 'swearing-in' event while Jubilee supporters dismissed it as a meaningless oath.

After major TV stations including KTN News, NTV and Citizen went off air, NASA supporters vowed to follow the event via social media.

As supporters from NASA strongholds were heading to Uhuru Park on Tuesday morning for the much-anticipated 'swearing in ceremony, residents in Jubilee strongholds had different views about it.

Speaking to KTN News reporter in Nyeri town, some Jubilee supporters wanted the government to arrest NASA leaders after being 'sworn in'. They said the country has a president who was sworn in according to the requirements established in the constitution of Kenya.

Most of the Jubilee supporters who spoke to KTN News during a live interview on Tuesday morning said the NASA 'swearing in' event is illegal.

Some county governments in NASA strongholds had ferried supporters to Nairobi for the event. For example, several buses were hired to take opposition supporters from Mombasa to Nairobi.

On Monday, hundreds of youths staged protests in Kisumu over alleged ‘laxity’ by area leaders to ferry them to Nairobi for the 'swearing in' of Raila Odinga. The youths, who were chanting pro-NASA slogans, stormed the county headquarters demanding audience with county officials.

A section of NASA supporters in other counties such as Busia and Kakamega failed to travel to Nairobi after lacking means of transport and support from local opposition leaders.

ALSO READ: Youths storm Governor's office, demand transport to go for Raila Odinga 'swearing in' event

Below are comments by Kenyans on Twitter;

IrakiHn @harry_ndungu After the swearing in, Rao na Kalonzo wataelekea Statehouse ipi? #NASASwearingIn

@IamNjokiKelvin #NASAOathDay #NASASwearingIn Revolutions are not planned! Revolutions are spontaneous! You cannot do so WITHOUT the aid of MILITARY. Civilian coup hardly succeed.

moodykimwele @moodsthatbug #NASASwearingIn two important days in a mans life, the day his born and the day you stand up for what you believe in?

True Patriot @Obi_kenya001 The problem with Raila and his team is being slow, the more they delay the more the despots are winning. I hope they're not looking for a reason to postpone or cancel the swearing in. Anxiety is killing me #NASASwearingIn #RailaSwearingIn #NASAOathDay

lgon Maasai @sammy_monoo Uhuru Park, Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway are Freedom Lanes. It is filled with NASAsuppoters who are now controlling traffic. @Ma3Route #NASASwearingIn #NASAOathDay

kot hacker @kot_hacker The despot are busy taking down live streaming, people are busy streaming to Uhuru park. #NASASwearingIn #livestreaming #NASAOathDay

BABAKE...DC1X @IvanHezz @CoalitionNASAKe doesn't even have a TV station aligned to its leaders. all TV stations are owned by jubilee guys and we expect them to air our Oath. #NASASwearingIn #RailaSwearingIn

Onesmus @ones_mc @RailaOdinga @skmusyoka If you don't get sworn in today, your contracts with the KENYAN people will be gone for good #NASASwearingIn #NASAOathDay</s>Several hundred supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered on Tuesday morning at a park in downtown Nairobi, determined to "swear in as president" their leader who boycotted a re-run election last year.

NAIROBI: More than two thousand supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered on Tuesday in a Nairobi park where he was due to take the presidential oath in an act of protest against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term in November after winning a re-run of presidential election which Odinga boycotted, citing doubts it would be free and fair. An election in August, which Kenyatta also won, was later nullified by the Supreme Court over irregularities.

The attorney-general has previously warned that Odinga could face treason charges if the event goes ahead. The punishment for treason is death.

As the crowd gathered, government authorities began to force independent television and radio stations reporting on the gathering off air, several outlets said.

By 0800 GMT, more than 2,000 people were gathered in Uhuru Park, near Nairobi's main business district. Many were chanting Odinga slogans and waving tree branches.

"Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in," said hairdresser Benta Akinyi, 32, standing near other opposition supporters blowing horns and whistles.

Though the police had said they would prohibit any illegal assemblies on Tuesday, there were no uniformed police in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles visible.

Nearly 100 people killed in violence over the prolonged election period, mostly in clashes between Odinga supporters and police.

Local radio station Capital FM reported that supporters had been granted permission by Kenyan authorities to use the park. Police and government spokesman were not immediately reachable for comment on that report.

"We intend to hold a peaceful event," Odinga's alliance said in a statement late on Monday.

"We nonetheless wish to put the (ruling party) Jubilee administration on notice that we will accomplish our mission come hell or high water. We advise our supporters to come prepared to stay until our mission is accomplished."

By 0720 GMT, a number of media outlets, including independently-owned Citizen radio and television, and independently-owned NTV and KTN, which had a livestream from the park, had been forced off the air by government authorities, they said.

A spokeswoman for the Communications Authority said they were in a meeting and would comment later.

"The Communications Authority of Kenya has switched off Citizen Television and Radio in most parts of the country over the coverage of the NASA ‘swearing-in’ plan," Citizen said on its website.

On Monday, Linus Kaikai, chairman of the Kenya Editors Guild, said senior editors had been summoned by the authorities and warned not to cover the event or risk being shut down.</s>Renown political analyst, Mutahi Ngunyi, has dragged Chief Justice David Maraga into the Nasa swearing-in shenanigans, saying it is a plot to overthrow President Uhuru Kenyatta from power.

According to the professor’s recent analysis of the current political situation in the country, Ngunyi claims that Justice Maraga is hoping to become a caretaker president after Raila Odinga is sworn-in as President.

In the latest Fourth Estate video on YouTube, Ngunyi alleges that Maraga gave magistrates and judges the green light to preside over the oath-taking by Raila, when he distanced himself from a letter cautioning Judges from engaging in the swearing-in event.

Ngunyi is advising Uhuru to deal with the National Super Alliance head without mercy, the way retired President Daniel Moi used to deal with his opponents adding that security officers attached to Raila should be recalled and their guns withdrawn.

On top of that, Ngunyi suggests that the government should confiscate the bodyguards’ passports before being put under house arrest in order to completely paralyse Mr Odinga and make it difficult for him to operate.

If Uhuru chooses to allow the swearing-in to continue, the political commentator reckons Raila will make life difficult for him and force a caretaker government.

Meanwhile, it’s all systems go for the swearing-in of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as the Peoples’ President on Tuesday, January 30 at Uhuru Park even after police declared the grounds a no-go zone.

Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome has directed his officers not spare rowdy Opposition supporters days after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko closed the park for renovations.</s>NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan police arrested an opposition lawmaker who administered the oath during a symbolic “swearing in” of opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, an opposition senator said on Wednesday.

“He has been arrested and taken to Nairobi area police headquarters,” James Orengo told Reuters.</s>Nairobi — Independently owned Citizen Television and Radio stations said on Tuesday that government authorities had forced them off the air over plans to cover a gathering in the capital where opposition leader Raila Odinga plans to swear himself in as president.

"The Communications Authority of Kenya has switched off Citizen Television and Radio in most parts of the country over the coverage of the Nasa ‘swearing-in’ plan," the Citizen website said, referring to the opposition Nasa alliance.

Several hundred supporters of opposition leader Odinga gathered on Tuesday morning at a park in downtown Nairobi, determined to "swear in as president" their leader, who boycotted an election rerun last year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term in November after winning the repeat presidential election in October that Odinga boycotted due to doubts it would be free and fair.

Kenyatta had also been declared winner of the August election, but the Supreme Court later nullified that result, over irregularities.

Odinga said the October election was "fake" and earlier said a "people’s assembly" would swear him in on December 12. That did not happen, and a new event was planned for Tuesday.

By 6am GMT, about 400 people were gathered in Uhuru Park, near Nairobi’s main business district.

Although the police had said they would prohibit any illegal assemblies on Tuesday, there were no uniformed police in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles.

Local radio station Capital FM reported that supporters had been granted permission by Kenyan authorities to use the park.

Police and government spokesmen were not immediately reachable for comment on that report.

"The swearing in that will happen today is legitimate based on the August 8 election. Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in," said hairdresser Benta Akinyi standing near other opposition supporters blowing horns and whistles.</s>Several hundred supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered on Tuesday morning at a park in downtown Nairobi, determined to “swear in as president” their leader who boycotted a re-run election last year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term in November after winning the repeat presidential election in October that Odinga boycotted due to doubts it would be free and fair.

Kenyatta had also been declared winner of the August election, but the Supreme Court later nullified that result, over irregularities.

Odinga said the October election was “fake” and earlier said a “people’s assembly” would swear him in on December 12. That did not happen, and a new event was planned for Tuesday.

By 0600 GMT, about 400 people were gathered in Uhuru Park, near Nairobi’s main business district.

Though the police had said they would prohibit any illegal assemblies on Tuesday, there were no uniformed police in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles.

Local radio station Capital FM reported that supporters had been granted permission by Kenyan authorities to use the park. Police and government spokesman were not immediately reachable for comment on that report.

”The swearing in that will happen today is legitimate based on the August 8 election. Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in,” said hairdresser Benta Akinyi, 32, standing near other opposition supporters blowing horns and whistles.</s>Hundreds of youths staged protests in Kisumu over alleged ‘laxity’ by area leaders to ferry them to Nairobi for today’s planned swearing-in of Opposition chief Raila Odinga.

The youths, who were chanting pro-NASA slogans, stormed the county headquarters demanding audience with county officials.

ALSO READ: Police withdrawn from Uhuru Park ahead of NASA 'oath' plan

They said they had been promised buses to ferry them to Nairobi, but were yet to get any positive response from any of the local leaders.

Led by Bunge La Wananchi (People’s Assembly) chairmen, the youths claimed a number of county leaders, including MPs and a host of MCAs, had promised to provide them with the buses but had since disappeared.

Neither Governor Anyang’ Nyong'o nor his deputy Mathew Owili were present at the time of the incident.

The youths spent several minutes at the county headquarters as armed policemen watched at a distance before proceeding to the county assembly to seek audience with Speaker Onyango Oloo whom they claim had also promised them a bus.

They, however, did not find Mr Oloo but accosted Majority Leader Kenneth Onyango who was forced to give them money.

Martin Ongele, the chairman of people’s assembly at Uhuru Gardens told journalists that they were disappointed over the laxity by the leaders to aid supporters to attend the fete.

Mr Ongele noted that most of the youths had prepared for the trip and had wanted to travel to Nairobi a day earlier.

James Maina, a member of Kondele Bunge La Wananchi, said many people were willing to attend the event but were yet to see any bus produced by area leaders.

ALSO READ: Residents stranded after Governor Rasanga fails to avail buses

“We are not going to play with them because they also relied on Raila’s influence to get those seats. If we use our own means, we will remove them from their positions when we come back,” said Maina.

The agitated youths then proceeded to Kisumu Central constituency Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) offices as they vowed to do everything to make sure they travel for the event.

Several ward reps led by market Milimani MCA Seth Kanga and Kondele MCA Joachim Okech calmed the agitated youths.

In Busia County, Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’ said his office had no arrangements to ferry NASA supporters to Nairobi.

None of county assembly members affiliated to NASA was willing to speak to the media over the matter.

About 300 supporters from Vihiga were confirmed to have left for the function by yesterday afternoon.

“We had a meeting where it was agreed that individuals offer to ferry people to the event using private means as opposed to ferrying groups in buses to Nairobi,” said local politician Reuben Ombima.

ALSO READ: Governor, MP from Narok clash over Raila 'oath' plan

In Kakamega, it was business as usual with a section of NASA supporters saying they had no means to travel to Nairobi.

“Some local MPs had pledged to provide at least six buses to ferry as many people as possible for the occasion but as you can see, there is nothing happening since the buses were not available,” said Patrick Shitera.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Matungu MP Justus Murunga and NASA Western region coordinator Khalid Njiraini said they expected Raila to be accorded security.</s>NAIROBI: Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered in Nairobi Tuesday ahead of a ceremony to swear him in as an alternative president, three months after he claims an election was stolen from him.

The planned "inauguration" has raised fears of violence as police had vowed not to allow the event to go ahead. However officers kept their distance as hundreds gathered at the Uhuru park venue.

Odinga, 72, a veteran opposition leader who claims he has had three elections stolen from him, has refused to accept President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election, which came after a deeply divisive 2017 polls season in which rights activists say at least 92 people were killed.

First was an election on August 8, won by Kenyatta, which was annulled in a historic decision by the Supreme Court, which ordered a re-run on October 26.

Claiming the poll would not be fair, Odinga boycotted the second vote and Kenyatta won with 98 percent.

Odinga postponed a previous effort to swear himself in last month, but his party insists Tuesday's event will take place.

'People's assemblies' 

 "We intend to hold a peaceful event, in total compliance with the constitution and the law," read a statement from the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition.

"We nonetheless wish to put the Jubilee (party) administration on notice that we will accomplish our mission come hell or high water."

While officers patrolled on horseback from a distance, police sources said a decision had been taken to avoid confrontation, after the city police chief earlier said "the grounds will be a no-go zone".

Attorney General Githu Muigai warned last month that any "swearing-in" would be treasonous, raising the possibility of Odinga's arrest, a move that would heighten tensions.

"Let them have the park and carry on with their political activities as long as it is within the law," a senior officer said.

Since boycotting the re-run poll, citing a lack of reform at the election commission, NASA's strategy has been to challenge Kenyatta's legitimacy by seeking to establish parallel government structures.

Opposition politicians have convened so-called "people's assemblies" in some counties and the inauguration of Odinga as "people's president" is seen as the culmination of this process.

Kenya's editors guild released a statement on Monday night saying that Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto had summoned media managers and editors, threatening to "shut down and revoke the licences of any media house that would broadcast live" the swearing-in.

One of the country's main television and radio broadcasters, Citizen TV -- which had been covering the event reported online mid-morning that its transmission had been switched off by the communications authority.
Raila Odinga stages a swearing in ceremony in Nairobi in which he names himself the 'People's president'.