Police Declare Raila's Swearing-in Venue a No-Go Zone

Police have vowed not to allow National Super Alliance (Nasa) stage the planned inauguration of its leader Raila Odinga at Uhuru Park Grounds in Nairobi.

Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, Nairobi police Commander Japheth Koome said the coalition has not notified his office of any plans to hold the controversial oathing in the city.

“I’m reading on the press that so and so will be at Uhuru Park, which I’m not likely to allow because if I allow there will be a confrontation and people will be injured. You have heard several groups want to use Uhuru Park on the same day. Tell them we love this city and we will guard it jealously. We will not allow breach of peace,” said Koome.

He added: “Nobody will be at Uhuru Park because I must protect everybody. If I allow people to go there and they injure one another I will have slept on the job."

Nasa has maintained it will hold the ceremony at Uhuru Park on Tuesday, January 30th despite announcement by the Nairobi County Government that the facility will remain closed until further notice to allow for refurbishment.

“Our position remains the same we applied to use Uhuru Park in accordance with the regulations put in place by Nairobi County. We have requisitions for an invoice for us to be able to make payment today. Uhuru Park is a public facility we will not succumb to arm twisting by the county government,” Nasa Chief Executive Officer Norman Magaya said last week.