Blow to Raila as Bunge La Mwananchi Swears-in its Leader as People's President

A civil organisation group has formally sworn-in one of their own as "people's president" in a bid to stop National Super Alliance (NASA) from installing its leader Raila Odinga as people's president.

Bunge La Mwananchi, which has in the past accused opposition of stealing the “People’s Assembly” slogan, administered oath of office to Henry Shikanda as the “people’s president” during an elaborate ceremony at Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi on Friday.

Addressing the gathering during the ceremony, Shikanda said the title “people’s president” is reserved for Bunge la Mwananchi and vowed the group will not allow any other persons to misuse it.

‘There will be no other “people’s president”. There will always be one and that is president of Bunge La Wananchi. We are not affiliated to either Jubilee or Nasa, but we champion the interest of all Kenya’s,” he declared.

A contingent of police officers watched from a distance as the inauguration ceremony took place. In the Oath, Shikanda paid allegiance to the Constitution of Kenya and that of Bunge La Mwananchi.

“We are a law abiding Kenyans and our actions are constitutional,” he said.

Speaking at the event, chairman of Civil Society Reference Group Suba Churchill, who was among those who witnessed the anointment of Shikanda, lauded Bunge La Mwananchi’s activities.

“Don’t accept to align yourselves or be divided into Jubilee and Nasa camps. You must fight for the interest of the people and their welfare. Like other civil society organisations, you must place both the National and County governments in check to ensure they deliver," said.

Opposition chief Odinga has been pushing for creation of people's assembly, which will endorse him before taking oath of office as people's president.