The Communications Authority has shut down Citizen and Inooro TV ahead of Opposition leader Raila Odinga's inauguration at Uhuru Park.

Royal Media said the CAK switched off its ADN signals at the Limuru station, disabling all transmission. Radio stations in parts of the country have also been affected.

Nation Media's free to air platforms are also down because of control by the authority but access through DSTV has not been interrupted.

Wachira Waruru, who is Royal Media Services managing editor, confirmed the shutdown and said they were looking into solutions.

"We would like to confirm that this morning the Communication Authority disconnected Citizen and Inooro TV transmission," he said.

"There has been no official communication as to why this action was taken. We are actively engaging the relevant government authorities to establish the reason for this action."

Waruru said they hope to resume normal transmission as soon as possible. 

The authority is yet to give a comprehensive report on the shutdown but on Monday, the government threatened to switch off and revoke the licenses of media houses that cover the controversial swearing-in of the two Opposition leader.

According to Ipsos, Royal Media and Nation are the most influential brands, respectively, in Kenya.

RMS beats Nation Media Group, the region’s biggest media house, which runs Nation, Kenya’s leading newspaper in terms of circulation and readership.

NMG also runs NTV and two radio stations. Standard comes in at position three.

Kenya Editors Guild chairman, Linus Kaikai, took issue with the summoning of media managers from the main media houses to State House, where shutdown threats were reportedly issued.

Editors were divided after allegations that State House on Friday threatened to shut down TV stations that will broadcast the event live.  

Kaikai said the direct threat was subsequently echoed off record by other senior members of the government.

Read: Editors divided as Uhuru dares media to air Raila's oath

Click here for the latest political news

On the 58th day, last Friday, a local daily was complimenting President Uhuru Kenyatta for breaking presidential record on delaying nominations to the Cabinet. When he did on the 59th day after being sworn-in, there were still gaps.

The list of Cabinet Secretaries had grown from 18 in the previous government to 22. But the last slot had a name without an assigned portfolio. Some ministries still have no principal secretaries, and 'chief administrative secretaries'.

When Uhuru named the second lot of proposed appointees, the exercise appeared 'rushed'. There was no position assigned to a proposed appointee to the Executive, Raphael Tuju, from Siaya county, like Defence CS Raychelle Omamo.

Names of some defectors, who had expected rewards, were missing from the list. The Miji Kenda are crying foul, saying Siaya has more than its fair share, without a vote for Uhuru. Women nominees at six fell short of the one-third constitutional threshold.

The Deputy President William Ruto was missing from Uhuru's side for the second time during an important State function. The excitement similar appointments raised in 2013, when the Jubilee regime was young, digital, and united in poise, dress, word, and deed, was missing. The Friday event lacked the sense of occasion of five years ago.

The Deputy President may have been busy on more pressing national assignments, but his absence sent mixed signals. The two are no longer joined at the hip. Time has loosened this grip of the once-upon-a-time dynamic duo. A Ruto show-up would have debunked this ominous feeling.

Uhuru enters a turbulent second term, with a promise he wants to focus on his legacy. This legacy is defined by the realisation of food security, housing, industrialisation, and universal healthcare.

But achieving these goals starts with building a team that would work to deliver the promises. The tone and tenor of this unity begins with a shared vision at the Presidency. The clash between legacy and 2022 presidential ambition could compromise this vision.

The President appeared lonely at the top, what with the huge expectations and the realisation that it is impossible to please everybody. It seemed even hard to excite the DP into dropping other national engagements to join the President when he announced the appointments.

The gaps gave the impression that the construction of government is work in progress. Rome, we are told, was not built in a day. There is still room for stubborn hope that those left out could still find a way in.

President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga took 50 days after the 2007 elections to constitute the Grand Coalition Government. Post-election violence, the ensuing stalemate, the international community-driven dialogue under the chairmanship of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and haggling over sharing of Cabinet positions delayed the formation of government.

President Moi took three days to establish a government after the 1988 General Election. The expectations were then still low under the one-party rule. President Moi knew who would be in the Executive, way before the election.

But President Moi took seven months before naming a Vice President after the 1997 General Election. When he reappointed George Saitoti to the position, the President was spiteful.

He wondered whether the reappointment would add sufurias of ugali on the tables of those who were pestering him to do so. Moi was then serving his last presidential term, which marked the end of his 24 years in State House.

The delay had to do with the Moi succession election of 2002. It was too early to expose his preferred Kanu presidential candidate. The ruling party imploded during the election year of 2002, when Moi named Uhuru, then a budding politician, as his preferred successor.

Founding President Kenyatta took office in 1963, with a complete Cabinet. He took oath with his ministers on the same day. The fight for Independence had created a unity of purpose: Kenyatta knew the expectations of the country and his compatriots.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has asked the court to dismiss a case filed by Starehe MP Charles Njagua, popularly known as Jaguar, challenging his boda boda ban. He yesterday said the issues raised by Jaguar have already been litigated and conclusively determined by the court.

Sonko said the case is incompetent and fatally defective. He said High Court judge Joseph Onguto in October 2016 determined riders have no right to operate within the CBD. The suit Sonko is referring to and which was dismissed by the judge in February 2016, had been filed by City

Riders Sacco.

The judge ruled the riders failed to prove how their rights were violated when the county ordered them out of the CBD. The operators had sued the county after they were stopped from operating in the city by then Governor Evans Kidero in November 2015.

Sonko said presenting an issue that has already been resolved is an abuse of the court process. He said Jaguar has not demonstrated he has an arguable case. “This application is abstract, vague and fails to illustrate the legal and factual threshold for grant of the orders sought,” he said in court papers.Sonko said Section 118 (a) of the Traffic Act 403 of 2014 gives him powers to make laws and regulate taxicabs, and, by extension, boda bodas.

The county issued a notice on January 22, warning of hefty fines, arrest and long jail terms for riders found contravening the directive. In its notice, the government said riders will no longer access the central business district except those offering

Courier services.

Jaguar went to court arguing the directive was reached without consultation. The MP’s contention is the ban is curtailing the economic rights of many riders who rely on ferrying passengers to and from the CBD. He wants the court to overturn the county’s decision.

Click here for the latest political stories

The fate of more than 200 medical laboratory students at King’s Medical College in Nyeri is in limbo after a regulator closed the institution for offering an unaccredited course.

Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board officers yesterday ordered its closure for failure to meet basic standards required for it to offer the programme.

“Notice is hereby given that an immediate closure is in effect on the medical laboratory issued with this notice,” the closure notice reads.

“The closure will be effected on 29/01/2018 to when the board revokes it,” it says.

KMLTTB chief executive Patrick Kisabey said the institution was closed in 2016 after an inspection by the board showed it lacked basic requirements to offer the programme.

“This is the time we are visiting this college. We were here in 2016, in November 2017 and today but the administration of this school has declined to comply,” Kisabey said.

He said the College is not registered and its students are not indexed by the board are required in law.

“We have been in an endless court battles with this College for a very long time and we won the case. So we are legally here,” Kisabey said.

There was drama at the institution when a lecturer, said to be the son of the college’s director, blocked KMLTTB officers from addressing the students on the closure of the school.

The College is owned by Embu Level 5 chief executive and former chief government pathologist Moses Njue.

Njue’s wife, Lucy, and son Lamuel Mureithi, were at the institution at the time the officers, escorted by officers from Narumoru police station, raided the school.

Mureithi blocked KMLTTB from addressing the students until his father, who was in Embu at the time, arrived. This forced the police officers to handcuff him, triggering protest by the students.

“Why are you handcuffing him? He is our lecturer and we will not allow you to do that,” a student screamed.

Attempts by the police officers to calm the students proved futile, forcing them to call for reinforcement from the station.

Mureithi was whisked away by the students while his mother was arrested and taken to Narumoru Police Station.

A ruling by Judge Teresia Matheka dated January 18, 2018 disallowed an application by the institution to block the board from closing it.

Njue, together with Mureithi later went to the police station where he accused the KMLTTB officers of malice.

“I am a former member of this board and I know what is happening here is pure malice. These are thugs,” Njue said.

They were locked up at the station. A third year student said they pay Sh84,000 per year.

Click here for the latest political stories

A standoff is looming in Thika town between hawkers and genuine, licensed traders.

Last Sunday askaris cracked down on hawkers to flush them out of the CBD after traders protested against their influx. Traders from Moi and Mukiriti markets last week threatened to take to the streets.

The traders, in a meeting in Moi Gardens, said they would forcibly eject the hawkers from the CBD if the county government calls off the crackdown or allows them to infiltrate the town again.

They said the hawkers, who come from Kayole, Roysambu, Githurai and parts of Murang’a county, sell their wares at throwaway prices leading to an exodus of their customers.

VOTE MACHINES

“Since the governor allowed the hawkers to sell their wares in the town, we have been making few or no sales, yet we are the ones who pay rates and licences, and rent too,” Moi Market chairman Nicholas Muiruri said.

“The hawkers have taken all our customers and we won’t take this lying down. We will flush them out of the town ourselves.” But the hawkers say they will stay put since they have Governor Ferdinand Waititu’s permission.

“The last time there was this turmoil, our governor told us to be operating from 6pm until he gets a place to settle us. No one else will convince us otherwise,” said a hawker who did not want to be named.

The hawkers flooded the town during last year’s campaign season, with all politicians welcoming them to secure their support.

GO BACK

Last year during another standoff between traders and hawkers Waititu said, “I know some came from outside because they saw a market. Hawkers who have been in this town for long are very few, they are also known. Now that the campaigns are over, let everybody go back to where they came from.”

But the hawkers say they are from Kiambu and have a right to do business anywhere in the country. Waititu promised the hawkers an open-air market.

The traders from Moi Market asked the hawkers to join them as there are more than 1,000 unoccupied stalls. “... they should rent space as we do,” trader Fred Mwangi said.

The traders accused county askaris of allowing the hawkers into the streets to collect bribes.

“We know money has been changing hands and that’s why it’s taking ages to eject the hawkers from town but enough is enough now. If the enforcement officers won’t do their work, we will assume it,” Muiruri said.

Sub-county administrator Christopher Wanjau said they will investigate. Thika District Business Association chairman Alfred Wanyoike said traders have been counting their losses.

Click here for the latest political stories

Officers from the elite GSU Recce Squad involved in Linda Boni Operation in Lamu have threatened to down their tools over unpaid risk and hardship allowances.

Security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said each officer is owed Sh226,000 for the eight months they have worked.

SACK THREATS

“Why should we continue risking our lives fighting al Shabaab, when someone else is pocketing our allowances? one officer said.

“Morale is low. That’s why we don’t do anything when we hear of an al Shabaab attack around here. We arrive late, after all why should anyone die for nothing?

They are demanding to be moved from Boni Forest, saying their period of duty lapsed in August last year.

The officers accused their bosses of threatening to sack them each time they ask to be moved. They had been promised there would be rotation when the operation began.

READY TO LOSE JOBS

Contacted, Linda Boni Operation director Joseph Kanyiri dismissed the complaints by the officers, terming them petty.

Kanyiri said the officers are not entitled to any risk or hardship allowances in as far as he is concerned since they are paid salaries.

He lashed at them for being crybabies and told them to stop complaining and work.

“It’s not a must for them to get allowances. They are doing the job as per their call. Hardship allowances are featured in their payslips every month,” Kanyiri said.

“I don’t understand the allowances they are demanding. They should come forward and explain who promised them such allowances rather than going to the media. It won’t help.”

 The officers said they are ready to lose their jobs if nothing is done to address their plight.

FELT SHORTCHANGED

It is unfair that KDF soldiers and NIS officers involved in the operation are paid their allowances on time while we wallow in misery, they said.

“We feel shortchanged. We are the only unit in the operation that is being sidelined and denied allowances. We are not recognised. They either move us or we quit,” an officer said.

Click here for the latest political stories

Kwale county will for the first time have a High Court after Chief Justice David Maraga commissioned a foundation stone. The court will cost Sh390 million.

The CJ said the premises will have eight courts, nine judges’ offices, and a section for nursing mothers . He said the Judiciary has so far built 39 High Courts in the country.

“We want to ensure each county has at least one High Court and a Land and Evironment Court,” he said on Monday.

The CJ asked local MPs to champion for allocation of more funds to the Judiciary to help it construct more courts to bring legal services closer to the people.

Maraga said the money the Judiciary is getting is not enough to pay salaries, to cater for expenses and construction of courts in the subcounties.

He was responding to questions from Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza and Kinango’s Benjamin Tayari, who want to have a Land and Environment court in Kwale, and a magistrate’s court in Kinango.

“We want to have a magistrate’s court in each subcounty in Kwale, but if you don’t give us money, all these projects will stall,” he said.

At the same time, Maraga urged Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya to set aside land with title deeds in every subcounty for the construction of magistrates’ courts.

“If you find land with a title deed inform us to check it out. If it meets the standards, we will set up a court,” he said. He later handed over the Kwale Kadhi’s Court built at Msambweni using cash from the Constituency Development Fund.

Click here for the latest political stories

Police will be involved in further investigations into the death of human rights activist Ken Wafula. Samples taken from his body by pathologists were handed over to investigators.

Wafula’s death was reported as sudden because he died less than 24 hours after he was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital Eldoret. Pathologists, led by Dr Benson Macharia, on Monday said police had to be involved. They are required to handle the samples that will be taken to the Government Chemists in Nairobi.

The police officers took photographs along with the samples during the postmortem at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. “Such samples taken from the body are handled by the police,” Macharia said.

Wafula will be buried on Friday at his parents’ home near Soy market in Likuyani constituency. The postmortem showed he may have died of diabetes due to very high sugar levels, blood infection and kidney problems.

Wafula, 45, was director at the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Kipkorir Ng’etich, a programmes officer at the centre, said the activist had been well until when he complained of being sick.

 Dr Macharia, in a preliminary report, said Wafula had an enlarged heart and mild changes in the lungs. “The deceased was found in a coma which may have been caused by the elevated blood sugar,” Macharia said.

He carried out the postmortem together with Dr Walter Nalianya from the Independent Medico-Legal Unit.

Dr Nalianya said the results showed Wafula had diabetes, but full investigations will reveal the actual cause of death. Macharia said they analysed Wafula’s medical history as part of the investigations into the cause of his death.

Click here for the latest political stories

The samples taken from the body will be analysed and a full report given within a few months.

The body was opened up for the autopsy in the presence of relatives, including his brother Zablon Wafula, and friends, including his workmate Ng’etich.

NASA leader Raila Odinga lived up to his vow to take a solitary oath as the People’s President, braving attempts by the government to suppress live coverage of the event.

The highlight of the day was not the state's repression of the media or Raila's triumphant entry at the brief oath-taking ceremony but the loud absence of running mate Kalonzo Musyoka, and his co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula who chickened out of the much publicised event.

The ceremony at Uhuru Park was attended by a capacity crowd of jubilant supporters estimated at not less than 15,000.

But soon after the ceremony, dismissed by critics as inconsequential, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i outlawed the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Read : News bosses differ over Uhuru threat on Raila's swearing in coverage

In a Gazette Notice, Dr Matiang’i declared NRM as an organised criminal group under the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act, 2010.

Kalonzo’s absence was the more pronounced as he had sworn several times that he would be sworn in with Raila as his running mate. His last pronouncement was on Saturday in Homa Bay.

“Let us call a spade a spade. They are cowards,” Miguna Miguna said yesterday. But Raila was polite, saying his deputy would be sworn in at a later date and could not make it for reasons that would be known.

“As you can see Kalonzo Musyoka is not here with us but he will be sworn in later. This is because of some things that happened and which you will be told later,” Raila said.

But in a statement later in the afternoon, the three made no mention of the swearing-in at Uhuru Park, only saying they were unable to meet yesterday morning.

“We agreed to meet again this morning. However, due to circumstances beyond our comprehension and control, the four of us did not assemble as planned. Nonetheless, the NASA Summit remains strong and united. The Summit will meet within two days, to address the immense challenges facing this country,” said the statement.

The three, according to sources in NASA, had always been opposed to the function in private but in public they said the opposite. They are struggling to appease NASA supporters who are very angry, said a NASA strategist. "People are mad. They tried very hard to convince Raila to apologise on their behalf."

In their meeting with Raila on Monday the three made it clear they were not keen on the event. Their efforts to convince Raila to rethink the swearing-in failed. A member of the think tank told the Star Kalonzo and Wetang'ula had developed cold feet and prevailed on Mudavadi to stand with them. Wetang’ula said they needed unanimity but since they were not united, the function should not proceed.

The three co-principals met at a hotel in Riverside in the morning until 11.30am and parted ways. Mudavadi and Kalonzo retreated to their houses while Wetang'ula reportedly spent time at a members club in Upper Hill.

Also read  : CA shuts down Citizen, NTV ahead of Raila swearing-in

Amid claims his colleagues had been compromised, sources said there had been no breakthrough in the push for dialogue because Jubilee had reportedly insisted that NASA first recognise Uhuru as the validly elected President.

A source close to the NASA co-principal, however, confirmed that the state had paid the hospital bill for Kalonzo's ailing wife in Germany, which may have softened his stance.

Raila defied pressure from many quarters, including the American government, to call off the ceremony. But at exactly 2.40pm, he made a triumphant entry at Uhuru Park and straight away held up the Bible.

“I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the people and the Republic of Kenya and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Kenya as a per the law established and all other laws of the Republic as adopted by the people of Kenya,” the opposition leader said as he declared himself the people’s President.

Afterwards, he held aloft a signed oath and briefly addressed the gathering.

With his swearing, Raila said the Opposition had fulfilled “our promise to the people of Kenya”.

“For the first time in our history the people have gathered here in their thousands to say enough is enough to election rigging.

"I want to thank the people of Kenya for their courage, patience and fortitude you have shown to the rest of the world, that a people united can never be defeated,” Raila told his supporters.

The country could not watch the proceedings on their main television networks after the State took the unprecedented step of disabling the transmission of KTN, Citizen radio and TV and NTV in the morning. Undeterred, the media continued to broadcast online, where Raila’s supporters watched him take a symbolic presidential oath in a direct challenge to President Uhuru Kenyatta. The event was also transmitted live on YouTube and social media platforms by other independent entities.

Raila's allies condemned the absence of his co-principals as an act of cowardice and betrayal.

The list of Raila's close allies who did not attend was longer than those present. Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, Senator James Orengo and Ruaraka lawmaker Tom Kajwang were among those standing by Raila as he took his took the oath administered by Miguna Miguna.

Conspicuously absent was Junet Mohamed, regarded as one of Raila's sidekicks.

Speaking to the Star from Mombasa, ANC nominated MP and secretary general Godfrey Osotsi said he was surprised at the absence of his party leader Mudavadi. "If you consider how he spoke passionately in Homa Bay on Saturday, you would expected him to lead the charge to Uhuru Park, " he said.

On Friday Osotsi flew from Mombasa, where he is chairing the implementation committee of the National Assembly, to Nairobi to read the so-called results from the IEBC server that claimed Raila won the election on August 8.

NASA Chief Executive Norman Magaya said the co-principals had been in communication with Raila up to 2pmto persuade him not to attend the ceremony. He said the NASA chief had determined to take the oath because "the supporters believe they have been wronged and they have prescribed this as the mode of justice and he could not abandon them.

"They thought by pulling out they could prevail on him not to go but he decided there was no looking back," he said.

Uhuru’s victory in August was annulled by the Supreme Court over irregularities but he won a rerun, boycotted by Odinga over contentious electoral reform demands. Raila reiterated that Kenyatta was not duly elected during the rerun.

Magaya revealed that Raila had defied international pressure from the United States and United Kingdom.

Chanting pro-Odinga slogans and waving tree branches, many supporters who thronged the park could hardly hear what their leader said in his brief address before he left hurriedly.

Police who had earlier outlawed the gathering as illegal withdrew from the park in the morning in a change of strategy.

Raila’s big day yesterday begun on a low note, with little activity at his Karen home.

Journalists across media houses took position at the main entrance of Mwitu estate as early as 7am, retiring to Uhuru Park later in the day without an address by Raila.

They were barred from entering the compound by private security guards at the residence. Raila told KTN News in a telephone interview that his state security had been withdrawn last year.

Unlike previous events that see early day marked with a beehive of activity at the NASA leader's home, yesterday there was little activity save for few passerby and estate neighbours. Journalists kept peeping into every passing car as the security guards opened the barrier with the hope that it had the NASA leader on board.

Read : I haven't betrayed you, will take oath soon, Kalonzo tells supporters

Not a single NASA politician was seen either getting into or out of Raila's home for the more five hours the scribes camped there.

Minutes after noon, one of Raila's official cars — a black Prado, with a Nissan Wingroad in chase — passed but he was not in the cars.

Later, Raila appeared at Uhuru Park from an undisclosed location sending his supporters into wild ululations.

Others

Raila Odinga joins a growing list of list African opposition leaders who have tried to declare themselves president when there is a sitting head of state. They include Democratic Republic of Congo’s Etienne Tshisekedi, Nigeria’s Moshood Abiola, Uganda’s Kizza Besigye and Gabon’s Jean Ping, formerly African Union Chair.

In Uganda opposition leader Besigye, a perennial rival of President Yoweri Museveni, swore himself to office through a video shot from a secret location in 2016 a day before the inauguration of Mr Museveni. He was arrested and charged with treason and has been attending mentions of his trial

Etienne Tshisekedi was the face of the opposition in President Mobutu Sese Seko’s Zaire, later renamed DRC under Laurent Kabila, then Joseph Kabila. Similarity between Tshisekedi and Odinga is that both were once detained without trial, both served as prime minister and both boycotted presidential elections; Tshisekedi in 2006, Raila in 2017.

In November 2011, Tshisekedi vied against the son of Laurent Kabila and came second. He decided to organise his own “swearing in” and was sworn-in as president, in his home, by his Chief of Staff, Albert Moleka after an attempt to have him inaugurated at the Martyr stadium in Kinshasa failed. He was later put under house arrest.

In Nigeria, Abiola declared himself president when Sani Abacha was in power. This was after he had visited many Western countries, seeking their support against Abacha’s regime. He was arrested and charged with treason and jailed for four years until 1995.

In 2016 in Gabon, Opposition leader Jean Ping declared himself president and called for a recount of votes, which confirmed that the incumbent President Ali Bongo had won. However, Ping maintained that “the whole world knew that he was the president.”

Click here for the latest political stories

An attempt by the Communication Authority to block live coverage of the swearing-in of NASA leader Raila Odinga as the People’s President failed as Kenyans turned to other media outlets to follow proceedings.

The broadcasting signals of NTV, KTN and Citizen were switched off. But Kenyans watched the live coverage on social media and international TV channels.

Citizen TV was the first to be switched off at around 10am followed by NTV. At the time, KTN was still streaming live in Uhuru Park, while on NTV Ken Mijungu was reporting live.

Read : News bosses differ over Uhuru threat on Raila's swearing in coverage

Watched on Viusasa

By the time of going to press, the media stations’ free to air and paid platforms were still switched off. CA cut off the ADN signals in Limuru just as they were beginning to live stream. Radio stations in various parts of the country were also affected.

The shutdown, however, did not deter Kenyans from following the swearing-in. A majority accessed other airwaves such as Viusasa and live feeds in the internet.

According to a Telkom engineer, only stations that cover live events were affected by CA move. Vincent Korir said KBC and K24 were not affected because they complied with the government’s directive not to cover Raila’s oath.

Royal Media Services managing director Waruru Wachira said the CA disconnected Citizen and Inooro TV transmission yesterday morning.

“There was no official communication. We are engaging relevant state authorities to establish the reason for this action, and resume normal transmission as soon as possible,” he said in a statement.

Outdated methods

Media lobby groups reacted to the shutdown, terming it dictatorial.

The Media Council of Kenya CEO, David Omwoyo, said it is regrettable. He said it is a cumulation of serious conflict in the media that needs to be handled systematically.

Also read : CA shuts down Citizen, NTV ahead of Raila swearing-in

Kenya Union of Journalists secretary general Erick Oduor said it is unacceptable, and this can only reinforce the view that the media is facing the worst threat in the history of this country.

“We believe this is part of an orchestrated plan to close civic space and deny Kenyans any rights to free expression and assembly,” Kenya Correspondents Association chairman William Janak said.

He warned against any moves to close down media stations or intimidate individual journalists.

However, Media Owners Association chairman Hanningtone Gaya justified the switch off, saying it is for the country’s good.

“Whoever has done it definitely had a good reason to do so. Security of a country is more important than that of an individual,” he said.

The Law Society of Kenya has written to the Communications Authority demanding an explanation as to why broadcasting signals were switched off.

Chairman Isaac Okero said it is appalling that CA decided to interfere with the independence of the media guaranteed in the Constitution.

He said the government needs to respect the freedom of the media guaranteed in Article 34 of the Constitution, the right of the public to information (Article 35 ) and desist from outdated methods of repression.

Limit freedoms

“I wonder what other provisions of the Constitution will be contravened. Soon they will switch off our internet. Kenya will be no different from Iran,” he said

Rights groups such as the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for credible and expeditious investigations into illegal switch off of television broadcasting rights.

KNCHR chair Kagwiria Mbogori said the shutdown is a clear indication a lot needs to be done for all leaders to respect and adhere to the tenets and spirit of the Constitution and the existing relevant media legislations.

“We, therefore, call upon the government to reassure Kenyans that no measures; legal, regulatory or extra-judicial shall be taken to limit the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of the Press,” reads

Her statement.

The International Centre for Policy and Conflict termed as dictatorial the government move to shut down independent media houses.

Populist authoritarian

Executive director Ndung’u Wanaina said the President is an emerging populist authoritarian, who is dangerously attacking media freedom.

“The populist authoritarian Kenyatta regime must tell the world what it intends to do by shutting media. This unconstitutional and unacceptable attack on the right to freedom of expression and access to information is outrageous and absurd. Only a despotic, illegitimate government does so,” he said.

On Twitter Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju said, “The people’s President should switch the TVs back on so that his deputy can stop complaining the state has switched off TVs and while at it, reinstate their security detail .........unless of course he is a President without portfolio.”

NASA chief executive officer Norman Magaya tweeted, “It has been my position the country has been captured by a dictatorship. It is our collective responsibility to uproot this junta. Now more than ever. Freedom is coming”

Click here for the latest political stories

It was a moment of triumph, capping the illustrious career of Raila Amollo Odinga.

Though he was threatened with jail, treason and death, though his three principals abandoned him, though the international community begged him not to do it, Raila was radiant yesterday as he took the oath of office as the people’s President of the Republic of Kenya.

Hundreds of thousands of supporters probably not a million as promised  were ecstatic after waiting for hours in the scorching sun in Uhuru Park. It was supposed to be a double swearing-in.

Read : Raila 'sworn-in' as people's president, Kalonzo absent

But NASA running mate Kalonzo Musyoko was inexplicably absent. Awkward, embarrassing but no matter.

That didn’t dampen the crowd’s jubilation as their man held aloft the Bible.

Nor did the absence of NASA chief campaigner Musalia Mudavadi and principal Moses Wetang’ula cast a pall over the event, though analysts were chattering. Police, who had pledged to seal off Uhuru Park and declare it a no-go zone guaranteeing a violence backed off and supporters streamed in as early as 6am.

They came from around the country.

They danced and sang anti-government and pro-NASA songs.

The programme was to start at 8.30am but was delayed until minutes past 2pm, an indication something was amiss. The three no-shows.

By 10.30am, the public address system was yet to be set up.

There were no decorations, however, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko had considerately dumped piles of rocks and construction materials at the site.

At around 2.25pm, Raila made his entry into Uhuru Park to a thunderous reception by those who came to witness the man who said victory had been stolen from him four times.

Also read : Puzzle of Kalonzo, Mudavadi and Wetangula giving Raila's oath wide berth

After short speeches by Siaya Senator James Orengo and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, it was time for Raila.

With a Bible held aloft in his right hand, the former Prime Minister said, “I, Raila Amollo Odinga, in full realisation of the high calling, assume the office of the people’s President of the Republic of Kenya, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the People and the Republic of Kenya; that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Kenya, as by law established and all other laws of the Republic as adopted by the people of Kenya; that I will protect and uphold sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya. So help me, God.”

The 90-word oath was administered by lawyer Miguna Miguna and Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang, who was dressed in court regalia.

Raila did not give details on the whereabouts of other principals, only saying they support the oath-taking and that the country will soon know why they were not in attendance.

Click here for the latest political stories

Jubilee Party leaders yesterday said they will not engage NASA chief Raila Odinga. “Everyone knows the person who has power and is recognised globally. We cannot be in politics throughout. We will not even bother with him by trying to arrest him or give him attention,” Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe told the Star on the phone.

Jubilee said Kenya has one President – Uhuru Kenyatta - and the Jubilee administration will focus on a national development agenda to fulfil Uhuru’s four-point plan. “In fact, those counties which have passed that funny motion that they do not recognise President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the Head of State are on their own,” Murathe said.

Raila was sworn in as the People’s President at Uhuru Park in Nairobi yesterday following the disputed October 26 and August 8 polls. The opposition chief believes he won the August 8 election. The apex court called for fresh presidential polls, which the IEBC conducted on October 26. 

Murathe said, “For those counties which do not recognise elected leaders, their assemblies stand dissolved. You cannot pass a motion that you don’t recognise elected leaders and want to represent yourself directly.” He said JP’s focus is on its four-point agenda - affordable housing, healthcare, food security and job creation.

Click here for the latest political stories

As cocks crowed early Tuesday morning, large groups of supporters trooped from NASA's Nairobi strongholds for the swearing-in of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.

However illegitimate, a dream was coming true for Opposition supporters who believe Raila deserves to rule Kenya.

For some, it didn't matter if they would be teargassed or face anti-riot police officers who had registered determination to avert chaos and protect the presidency.

So they danced, chanted pro-Raila slogans, ran around, waved tree branches and blew horns and whistles.

Raila the "enigma" arrived in a convoy of vehicles to cheers by a charged crowd and shortly took his oath of office. 

Details: Raila 'sworn-in' as people's president, Kalonzo absent

Also read: I have not betrayed you, Kalonzo assures supporters, says he will take oath soon

Was security a good reason to miss swearing-in?

But there was no downplaying the absence of his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka and the other co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula.

Amid dismissal as traitors, the three later issued a statement assuring their supporters that there was no trouble. But Kenyans couldn't help but ask more questions.

Hours later, Kenyans woke up to reports that Kalonzo's Karen residence had been attacked by unknown gunmen.

The former vice president was at home during the incident at about 2am on Wednesday - when a grenade was reportedly hurled into the compound.

There wasn't an explosion and Kalonzo later showed police a bullet and a grenade pin that he said he found at his home.

He later said officers were investigating the attack but there have been reports that the incident was falsified.

Was the security issue, that has certainly exacerbated by the alleged attack, sufficient reason for Kalonzo to skip the key Opposition function?

If indeed the attack was a fabrication, what does Kalonzo stand to gain?

For years, the Wiper boss has been dismissed as a 'watermelon' for not having a clear position in the political divide. His assurances that he is with the Opposition have not made much of a difference.

Kalonzo wants to vie for president in 2022 following an agreement for Raila to rule for one term. Raila's dream has not come true despite five attempts.

When Wetang'ula visited his co-principal at this home on Wednesday morning, Kalonzo told reporters that he was the one supposed to comment on the attack. He refused to give his remarks and said police need to finish their probe.

"Allow me not to say anything since police are here. Let them deal with this. Raila and Mudavadi will be here by 11am," he said.

More on this: Kalonzo refuses to comment on 'fabricated' home attack

'NASA not involved'

Speaking to the media at around 10 am, Wetang'ula said the attack was not an affair of the National Super Alliance.

This was what he said when asked if it was related to their absence at the much-hyped swearing-in.

Seemingly agitated, he added: "How can I say anything before investigations? Are you trying to insinuate that it is a NASA issue?

"We cannot arm people to protect us. This is a beastly act and we condemn it. As to who did it and why, that is neither here nor there."

The Bungoma senator and Ford Kenya party boss thanked the media for "exposing" the attack.

"This expose helps those with evil designs to back-peddle us. We send Kalonzo strong, sincere feelings of solidarity. Whatever he has gone through the whole night is regrettable but it's a sacrifice."

Asked whether Raila would visit Kalonzo in Karen, Wetang'ula was not sure.

"We will be here with Mudavadi, and probably Raila, to offer our solidarity. The leadership of NASA is exposed because we have no security. [But] our knees will not bend."

Wetang'ula said full responsibility will lie with the government should anything happen to him and his co-principals.

Read: State 'squarely responsible' for NASA chiefs' fate - Wetang'ula

Click here for the latest political stories

Police claim the attack on Kalonzo Musyoka's Karen residence was fabricated but the Wiper leader has refused to comment.

A senior officer told The Star the NASA principal called them early in the morning claiming his house was being attacked.

When the officers arrived at the Nairobi residence, they found the former vice president standing in a blue khaki trouser, socks and shirt.

He held a live bullet and a grenade pin in his hand as he spoke to the police officers, telling them he recovered the items from the people who attacked his home.

The Wiper leader said he heard a loud bang before recovering the items.

After claims that his security detail was withdrawn on January 30, officers gave Kalonzo two armed bodyguards to protect him.

The bodyguards, in an interview, said they heard a loud bang but noted that it was not at the Wiper leader's residence.

They said the bang was in the neighbourhood, contradicting what Kalonzo told police earlier.

The bodyguards also said they had not recovered anything from the compound.

Bomb Squad Unit head Eliud Langat, the DCI's Nicholas Kamwende and other top police officers led the investigation. They said on Tuesday that they were yet to recover spent cartridges at the home.

Kalonzo refused to give his remarks on the incident saying police should be allowed to do their work.

Addressing the press when his colleague Moses Wetang'ula visited him, he said: "Wetang'ula is the one supposed to comment. There is heavy police presence here."

He added: "Allow me not to say anything since police are here. Let them deal with this. Raila and Mudavadi will be here by 11am."

Read: Gunmen attack Kalonzo's Karen residence

The alleged attack came a day after the NASA co-principal skipped Raila Odinga's 'swearing in' at Uhuru Park.

Kalonzo on Tuesday told the media that their security detail had been withdrawn, hence his absence.

Also read: NASA principals hold impromptu talks on TV switch-off

Click here for the latest political stories

Story updated

Raila Odinga has no option but to be on the ballot in the 2022 presidential election, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo has said.

The NASA leader had himself sworn-in as the people's president on Tuesday and says he will not give up his quest for electoral justice in Kenya.

His running mate Kalonzo Musyoka did not take his oath but he and Raila have dispelled speculation of differences and instability in the National Super Alliance.

Kalonzo, chief campaigner Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress) and Bungoma senator Moses Wetang'ula later said they remain "strong and united".

In their statement yesterday, the politicians said they will continue to pursue electoral reforms and that they will meet within two days to address some of their challenges.

More on this: Raila 'sworn-in' as people's president, Kalonzo absent

Also read: Puzzle of Kalonzo, Mudavadi and Wetangula giving Raila's oath wide berth

But Odhiambo said the absence by Raila's co-principals showed none of them is worth support in the next State House race.

He noted ODM members "cannot afford to support cowards in 2022 when it's crystal clear that they are not up to the task".

The legislator further said the three politicians demonstrated "the highest level of betrayal Kenya has seen since independence".

"Why should we elevate cowards to the highest office in the land when our heroes Raila Odinga and [Mombasa governor] Hassan Joho are still alive?" he posed in a phone conversation with The Star on Tuesday.

Related: Mombasa NASA supporters celebrate Raila's oath, want Joho to replace Kalonzo

Odhiambo further said the absence should not be taken lightly as the three are positioning themselves for the 2022 election.

"Kenyans have seen who they can trust with their votes and who can [go to any lengths to] champion their agenda."

He added the inauguration showed who the people's president is and that the absence of the three co-principals scaled up Raila's prominence.

Should Raila vie again, he will face politicians including deputy president William Ruto, who is to become the Jubilee Party candidate as Uhuru is ruling for his second and final term.

Others who have declared interest in the race are Kalonzo, Wetang'ula, Joho, Machakos governor Alfred Mutua, Kilifi's Amason Kingi, former Meru boss Peter Munya.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda said the other NASA leaders put up a bad show yet there is a desperate need for unity.

Ochanda wondered why the three "had to lie to the public" in Homa Bay on Sunday, by insisting on Raila's swearing-in, "only for them to chicken out".

They have shown the public that they are not genuine with voters, he said, adding: "Its regrettable that leaders of such stature can take Kenyans and Raila for a ride."

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said Kalonzo, Mudavadi and Wetang'ula have dug their own political graves.

He said they should not be allowed to address any political rally.

Mutua, who had warned that an illegal oath-taking would taint Kenya's reputation, mocked the Opposition on Twitter saying the event was bound to fail.

"It's now crystal clear to all that Kalonzo Musyoka can never be trusted ... trust him at your own peril," reads part of his message.

Also read: Raila oath will show world that Africa is a shithole, says Alfred Mutua

Click here for the latest political news

The Murang’a county government will introduce new coffee varieties in a bid to double production to 70 million tonnes annually. Agriculture executive Albert Mwaniki on Tuesday said they were already giving the new varieties to farmers to realise the target in the next two years.

The county currently produces 35 million tonnes of coffee annually. But production was declining.

Mwaniki attributed the decline to poor seedlings and archaic farming methods. Coffee farming is the main economic activity of most Murang’a residents.

“We are determined to take coffee production back to where it was 30 years ago,” Mwaniki told a workshop in Naivasha.

According to Mwaniki, the county was producing 19 million tonnes in 2013, when the county government came into being. The county gave incentives to farmers and introduced modern seedlings with high yields.

“We provided four million seeds of modern varieties that enabled us to increase production to 35 million tonnes annually. We are confident of hitting the 70 million tonnes annually in the next two years,” Mwaniki said.

The county also sourced manure from Kajiado to improve fertility.

“Most people said we were joking when we sent lorries to collect the manure, but we knew what we were doing. Today, were are celebrating the gains made,” Mwaniki said.

The county has also come up with an ‘adopt a coffee tree’ initiative aimed at planting and taking care of 50 coffee trees in each homestead.

“We will follow up to see how farmers are taking care of the trees. It is part of our wider campaign to revive coffee farming,” Mwaniki said.

He was addressing the press after a coffee round table meeting of the Council of Governors at the Enashipai Resort in Naivasha.

CoG Agriculture chairman Stephen Sang said governors had agreed to urgently undertake legal reforms in the sector.

Sang, also the Nandi governor, said the coffee and tea industries were crucial to the economy because they employ thousands of Kenyans.

“We have agreed on various interventions that will be carried out by both the national and county governments because we are currently doing badly in terms of production,” Sang said.

Last year, Murang’a county allocated Sh1.3 billion to revive the coffee sector. Governor Mwangi wa Iria said the cash would finance 300,000 farmers to plant an additional 50 coffee trees each, targeting production of 15 million kilogrammes by 2019.

The county was to finance the purchase of compost manure, fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides. “The sole purpose is to make sure that we attain top quality in our coffee harvests since this is the area that has been dealing our farmers a fatal blow in terms of earnings,” Wa Iria said.

Murang’a farmers produce an average 300,000kg of coffee a season, earning Sh9 million.

Click here for the latest political news

A Nyeri court has upheld the posts of 12 Jubilee nominated MCAs.

It dismissed, with costs, the petition challenging the nomination. Chief magistrate Wendy Kagendo yesterday said the 12 were validly nominated.

The court nullified the election of MCA Millicent Cherotich nominated to represent the ethnic minorities.

Kagendo said the seat should be replaced to represent vulnerable or marginalised groups.

The magistrate said petitioner Margaret Nyathogora did notgive compelling evidence.

Nyathogora and six others said the nomination was marred by nepotism, favouritism and sycophancy.

Some of the nominees did not apply for the posts while others who applied are from outside Nyeri county.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission was named as the first respondent, Jubilee Party as the second respondent and the 13 nominated MCAs as the third respondent.

Lawyer Richard Kamotho, representing the MCAs, said the allegations could not be proven and the case should be dismissed.

Kagendo said Nyathogora proved to be a hostile witness.

“There was no basis of the grounds raised in court by the witness. Nyathogora was not a credible witness as she demonstrated hostility,” the magistrate said.

Kagendo directed both Jubilee and the IEBC to ensure Cherotich is replaced with an individual who will represent people living with disability.

In July last year, a group of women from Nyeri protested against the inclusion of outsiders in the Jubilee county assembly nomination list.

They said some of the 45 nominees are from Laikipia, Kiambu, Nairobi and Nyandarua counties.

“Others are non-Jubilee members. Other applicants nominated in different categories, while some never applied but are in the shortlisted list,” the women said in the statement read by Grace Michuki.

“Some civil servants who are still in office but are actively participating in politics, including nurses, teachers and a secondary school principal, are also in the list.”

Michuki and Nyathogora said the wife of the Nyeri branch secretary, who is also the personal assistant of an independent governor candidate, were nominated.

Bloggers, musicians and teachers were among nominees for the Nyeri county assembly.

The name of a journalist was also gazetted in the IEBC’s list released.

A woman, who is a member of the Warembo na Uhuru lobby group, a nursing student and a tea director were also in the list.

About 40 people were nominated, but the number was to be slashed because only 16 were needed.

The assembly has 30 elected MCAs. Smaller parties also expected slots if they won ward seats.

Click here for the latest political news

Lamu residents have not known or seen a tarmacked road for the last 55 years as previous regimes chose to ignore the region.

All they have ever known is the dusty, muddy and potholed Lamu-Garsen road, which is the only road to and from Lamu on land.

Residents have been pleading with each regime to build proper roads to improve movement and above all enable vehicles to easily flee whenever al shabaab strikes.

But that appeared to be impossible until the Kenya Urban Roads Authority showed up last year.

Early last year, KURA announced and commenced construction of the first-ever tarmac road in Lamu.

The 15km road in Mokowe town in Lamu West will cost Sh1.1 billion. The road is already 10 per cent complete.

Mokowe houses the county headquarters after the offices were moved from the Lamu Island last year. The road is expected to ease access to the offices.

On Wednesday, KURA special programmes acting general manager Mohamed Abdulrashid said the road is expected to be complete by November next year.

“We have completed tarmacking the first 1.5km,” he said. Mokowe township has started getting the buzz with many traders and businesses shifting base from Lamu town.

Lamu Tourism executive Dismas Mwasambu said once complete, the road is expected to open up the town and the entire county to more trade and industrial activities.

“This road alone has spurred economic development. We have seen growth in trade and many investors have been attracted to the town. We thank KURA for coming up and sponsoring such a mega project in our county. We know there is still more to be done,” he said.

Mwasambu said improvement of the road network in Mokowe and in the entire county will also boost the trade and tourism by attracting more tourists.

Residents are also upbeat that the road will open up more opportinuties for them, having already employed hundreds of youths as casuals in the project.

“We have quite a huge number of youths employed for the construction of the road. But we are especially glad about the future. Mokowe will become the biggest business hub in the Coast. We can’t wait for that time to come,” resident Abdulrahman Abeid said.

Click here for the latest political news

To some, Raila Odinga may have only raised a Bible and read a “useless" oath on Tuesday. But to core supporters, he not only fulfilled his promise but in the process destroyed the careers of his co-principals.

His action may also have handed Deputy President William Ruto and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho "political lifts "

Fashioned as the fight for electoral justice, by showing up at Uhuru Park without his colleagues, Raila cemented his place in the hearts of his supporters who pushed him to take the oath — knowing very well the instruments of power were already with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Read : Raila 'sworn-in' as people's president, Kalonzo absent

As soon as the ceremony ended, albeit hurriedly, NASA supporters from eastern and western Kenya had unsavory adjectives for the three no-shows: Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang'ula and Kalonzo Musyoka, who was to have been sworn in as DP. This raises doubts about their future.

Ruto is the front-runner to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

With the NASA coalition wobbling in the wake of claims of betrayal in yesterday's swearing, the DP and Joho could exploit the moment.

Yesterday, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale said the NASA developments were predetermined and orchestrated to justify Raila’s ‘insatiable appetite for the presidency, even in 2022”.

“The DP is not threatened at all. He will traverse this country when that time comes to ask for votes. Given our track record and the foundation Jubilee has laid down, I am certain he will be given an opportunity to serve as Kenya’s commander-in-chief,” he told the Star.

Yesterday the three no-shows from Wiper, Ford Kenya and ANC were hard-pressed to explain why they were absent from Uhuru Park despite promising they would stand firm.

Police denied claims that had put the three under house arrest hours to the inauguration.

"That was a political question and you received a political answer. It is not true we put Kalonzo Musyoka or any other leader under house arrest," National Police Service Spokesman Charles Owino said

Earlier yesterday, Ford Kenya's Wetang’ula refused to answer journalists' questions on why he missed the event. He said he would not engage in innuendo and conjecture.

ANC boss Mudavadi dismissed similar questions, saying they were firmly working together for electoral justice, devolution of resources, media freedom and police reforms.

"People should not create division's amongst us. This is not child's play and let's not be simplistic. Some of us we have worked behind the scenes and in public and contributed a lot to make what NASA is today," he said before brushing off journalists.

He said the NASA summit comprising the four principals will meet to deliberate before they issue a comprehensive statement.

Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli summed up the disappointment by Kalonzo and Mudavadi supporters yesterday when he called them "irredeemable cowards".

"I said it in Kisumu in 2007 when Kalonzo ditched Raila. He said 'nitapita katikati yao (I will pass through them)." That was a betrayal of social justice because you [Kalonzo] are a coward and you will never be a leader," Atwoli fumed.

He added, "Mudavadi is like a pig that returns to garbage immediately after you clean it. These are not leaders but opportunists and Uhuru should not be shaken by these guys."

Also read : Kalonzo refuses to comment on 'fabricated' home attack

Following the Uhuru Park events, some Nyanza MPs yesterday called on Raila to start preparing to run for President again, raising questions on the future of the NASA coalition. It is understood that 2017 was Raila's last attempt, although the NASA coalition agreement did not state so.

With his fanatical support, and if the crowd that filled Uhuru Park is anything to go by, Raila will remain a key player in who becomes President in 2022.

“He will be the kingmaker if he is not king himself,” Professor Macharia Munene of USIU said.

As the three principals struggled to recover from the backlash of the previous day, Raila’s swearing-in also marked the rise of a new breed of the so-called Raila warriors in Western. They include Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Simba Arati, NASA CEO Norman Magaya and Nairobi Senatorial candidate Edwin Sifuna, who played leading roles in the swearing-in.

Sources close to the organisation of the oathing say the secretariat and members of the think tank played a critical role in ensuring it took place.

HASSAN JOHO

Perhaps the biggest beneficiary was Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, who has been positioning himself in ODM as Raila’s heir apparent.

Described as a smart politician, the ODM deputy party leader stood by and is the one who invited Raila to take the oath.

“Joho has won the admiration of the Raila base. If Raila said Joho Tosha, there would also be a non-Raila base in the Muslim world that would crown him. Now that Raila has consolidated his base, the next "Raila" may also just have been crowned at the function,” political commentator Collins Ajuok said.

Political analyst and university lecturer Norbert Okwemba said the Uhuru Park no-showwas a miscalculation that could cost them politically.

Okwemba said should Raila decide not to run for President, Joho could emerge the natural running mate to lock the Coast region.

“Raila could easily garner more votes from Western even without Musalia and Wetang'ula. What he would need to appease the Coast to consolidate substantial support if he is to pose a formidable challenge to Ruto,” he said.

Joho, a fierce critic of Jubilee, is serving his last term in office and has indicated he wants to be President in 2022.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir said Joho has big ambitions.

"His heart is made of steel. He won't be shaken and has put a strong foundation for his big ambitions," he told the Star.

"We will continue to stand with Baba [ Raila] in every moment and hour of need."

However, in what appears to be a blessing in disguise for Raila’s camp, his lieutenants yesterday came out guns blazing insisting that ODM had freed itself from "political debts and baggage” in the journey to 2022.

Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo said that with betrayal from his co-principals, Raila has no option but to run for President, further raising tension in the fractured coalition.

Odhiambo said the absence of the co-principals at Uhuru Park showed none of them was worth Raila’s support.

“ODM cannot afford to support cowards in 2022 when it's crystal clear they are not up to the task,” Odhiambo said, a position taken by most of ODM lawmakers.

"Why should we elevate cowards to the highest office when our heroes Raila Odinga and Hassan Joho are still alive?" he told the Star in a phone interview.

Raila’s ODM had entered into a pact with Ford Kenya, Wiper and ANC prior to the General election, barring the Orange party from fielding a presidential candidate in 2022.

Instead, the other three affiliate parties would have an opportunity to produce the NASA flagbearer.

The other people whose stars are shining bright are those of women legislators who stood by Raila throughout. They include Aisha Jumwa of Kilifi, Likoni’s Mishi Mboko, Busia’s Florence Mutua, Kisumu’s Rosa Buyu, and Nairobi’s Esther Passaris. The women have been on the streets in support of their party leader on most occasions.

ODM lawmakers including the party chairman John Mbadi, Jared Okello (Nyando) and Caleb Amisi (Saboti) expressed disappointment and asked their leader to reconsider his relationship with the three.

Mbadi, also the National Assembly Minority leader said the three, especially Kalonzo who is eying the NASA ticket, lack grounds to defend themselves for skipping the swearing in.

“Whether they were blocked from coming or scared for whatever reason, we are a democratic nation. There's no medicine for fear. A coward is a coward. Those who are brave enough came on out Tuesday,” Mbadi said.

“There is no explanation that can convince us that the absence was warranted. We will push our leadership to redefine ODM's relationship with the three leaders,” Okello said.

He said thy will ask their party to reengage on sharing of parliamentary positions among the NASA affiliates

“We have been waiting for them to tell us what made them skip the event but nothing is forthcoming.Raila had three brothers but when they got to the battlefield they fled and left him alone. Raila may have to get new brothers to transact business with,” Okello said.

Some Wiper leaders, including organising Secretary Robert Mbui (Kathiani MP) and Jessica Mbalu (Kibwezi East) expressed disappointment over the trio's absence.

Mbui said the three should reunite with Raila to cement the coalition’s unity to continue commanding nationwide support.

“I don’t know why Kalonzo and other two co-principals did not show up. He could have done that because all of us were waiting for that moment because some of us got injured fighting for that course,” Mbui said.

Read : Duly elected my foot, Raila says of Uhuru's presidency

He said Raila is the only person who will make one of them clinch the presidency, hence ,they should walk with him.

“Now we are at a loss because we were expecting all the principals to turn up and tell the country that were are united against the Jubilee regime.”

Mbui claimed that it will be difficult for Kalonzo to redeem himself or to get support from NASA supporters for 2022 unless he also takes the oath.

“Kalonzo has to be sworn in. We have no answers for his absence,” Mbui said.

He added that his constituents are disappointed and vowed not to “allow cowards amongst us (leaders)”, despite Kalonzo and his colleagues claiming security officers blocked them.

Machakos Governor and Jubilee point man in Ukambani, Alfred Mutua, mocked on Twitter,

"The whole swearing-in event was wrong and bound to fail because it was unconstitutional and based on the wrong premise. On the other hand, it is now crystal clear to all that Kalonzo Musyoka has over and over again proven that he can never be depended on. Trust him at your peril."

Click here for the latest political news