Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has termed the recent plans to swear-in Nasa leaders as mere jokes, perpetuated by his political foes, who included Cleophas Malala.
In a tweet on Tuesday, hours after the intense conversation ion the protracted issues, after a series of meetings between Nasa leaders and US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, Dr Khalwale told his nearly 180,000 followers, castigate the new turn in the ‘swearing-in exercise’ arguing that it had lost its initial goal.
“I personally believed that swearing in Raila Odinga was a serious, formal & dignified solemn national issue, complete with constitutional & legal protocol,” he said.
He added: “Now with these senators purporting to conduct the exercise in Kakamega, Kenyans must be forgiven if they take us for jokers!”
On Sunday, Opposition leader Raila Odinga was given a Bible as a gift by leaders as he marked his 73rd birthday in Kakamega. Leaders in Kakamega gave Raila the Holy Book and asked him to take oath during his planned swearing-in this month.
The gift was presented by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala on behalf of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators. According to Mr Malala, National Super Alliance (NASA) MPs will swear an affidavit to recognise Raila as ‘people's president’.
Mr Malala said Nasa MPs will next week swear an affidavit to recognise Mr Odinga as the people's president, a move which Dr Khalwale seems not to hit him well.
On his part, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri said the move was good and said the swearing-in should proceed.
"Kenyans are tired and Raila is wasting our time. We want him to take an oath now," said Mr Khaniri.
Most speakers at the meeting urged Mr Odinga to heed calls for him to take oath as the people’s president.