Raila Odinga has changed the venue for his planned swearing-in after it emerged that his earlier venue, Uhuru Park, was booked by a Nairobi-based business outfit and a church group.
Raila was to be sworn in alongside his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka at Uhuru Park on January 30.
On Monday, the former Prime Minister held a closed door meeting with the US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec.
The details of their meeting however, have been kept a chest-close secret though Godec is believed to have been trying to urge Raila to drop his swearing-in plan.
A NASA insider at the meeting said they had a contingency plan because they were alive to the fact that Jubilee would try and thwart the swearing-in ceremony.
“When we chose Uhuru Park, we knew the Jubilee leadership would thwart our mission by ensuring the venue is cordoned off by police. We have chosen a different location that will be known during or after the event,” he said as told by Daily Nation.
He did not disclose the venue of the planned fete though.
A church group and the popular Nairobi Business Community applied for the grounds on January 30.
Wildred Kamau, Nairobi Business Community Chairman said they will hold a free medical camp at Uhuru Park on January 30.
The target group for the medical camp is street boys who wish to get circumcised. The camp will offer the minor surgery for free.
“We have written to the county government and we are actually supposed to pay Sh250, 000 for the venue tomorrow, January 22,” said Kamau. “NASA will have to get another ground if they have an event the same day. We are using Uhuru Park that day,” Kamau retorted.
NASA co-Principal Moses Wetangula said nothing will change; the oath plan will continue as scheduled.
“Our communication in Mombasa on Sunday was clear. As long as there is no contrary message, the swearing-in is on,” Wetangula assured.
NASA has issued a one-week ultimatum to President Uhuru Kenyatta to engage in talks.
This, says Kalonzo, is the only way to stop the inauguration for Raila.
However, Uhuru has in the past said he is not interested in having any political dialogue.