The National Super Alliance (NASA) has named a seven-member organising committee to spearhead its push for the formation of a People’s Assembly.
The Opposition fomation has said the Assembly will push for a fresh election under a new electoral system after refusing to recognise the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the October 26 rerun, which was boycotted by its candidate Raila Odinga and running mate Kalonzo Musyoka.
The team is composed of economist and NASA advisor Dr David Ndii (chairman), former nominated senator Judy Sijeny, Hamida Kibwana, constitutional lawyer Dr Muthaka Kangu, former ODM Executive Director Dr Oduor Ong’wen, vocal Narok Senator Koitamet Olekina and former East African Legislative Assembly member Peter Mathuki.
While unveiling the team at Okoa Kenya headquarters, former senators Johnstone Muthama and Boni Khalwale said the committee will present its report to the NASA leadership on December 12.
Raila on Tuesday vowed that he will be sworn in on that day, which is marked in Kenya as Jamhuri Day, the day in 1963 when Kenya became a republic.
Muthaka and Khalwale reiterated NASA’s position that majority of Kenyans did not vote on October 26 and President Uhuru has no mandate to rule the country.
While addressing his supporters along Manyanja Road before they were violently dispersed by police, Raila said he will be sworn in along the lines of the taking over power in Zimbabwe by sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa after the military disposed long serving President Robert Mugabe last week.
However, in his case, the former premier will seek to invoke Article 1 of the Constitution which in part states that the people may exercise their sovereign power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives by being sworn in by the People’s Assembly after which he says he will march to State House.
During a mini-People’s Assembly at Maanzoni Lodge last week, NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi said they will hold the inaugral People’s Assembly at a date to be announced this month.
He said the people have a right to govern themselves at the county level without interference by the National government.
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“The right of citizens to exercise their sovereignty at the county level should not be subject to supervision or veto by the national government,” he said.
Already, 13 county assemblies have passed the motion presented by NASA leadership and according to their CEO Norman Magaya, seven others are expected to pass it in due course.
This despite the High Court in Kitui injuncting the process.
Ndii has also been pushing for the secession of Opposition leaning counties. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has already drafted a Bill seeking the self-determination of 40 counties after his call for a referendum on October 26 was ignored by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
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