Odinga Family Opposed Raila's 'Swearing-in', Oburu Says

Members of the Odinga family were opposed to the mock swearing-in of Opposition leader Raila Odinga as ' people's president', Oburu Odinga says.

Oburu, who is Raila's elder brother, says that the family advised the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader against taking the oath because they feared the possible consequences.

The government had threatened to take actions against Raila if he took the oath, arguing that the move amounted to treason.

Oburu however says Raila, who is as brave as their late father Jaramogi was, was prepared to be hanged by the government.

“This act of bravery was inherited by Raila from our late father. He shocked us within the family when he vowed to push on with the swearing-in despite opposition from many members of the family,” Oburu said at ACK St Stephen Cathedral in Kisumu during a service to mark Jaramogi’s 25th anniversary.

Raila went ahead to take the 'oath' on January 30th, 2018 but the government didn't make true its threat to charge him with treason.

One month later, Odinga made peace with President Kenyatta through the famous March 9th, 2018 handshake.