Following the declaration of Uhuru as president, Raila’s NASA brigade formulated a revolutionary movement dubbed the National Resistance Movement (NRM-Kenya).
The entity was to spearhead a revolution against Uhuru on grounds his presidency was ‘illegitimate’.
The brigade later told its supporters to boycott newspapers, TV stations, products and services, of companies believed to have backed Jubilee in the 2017 vote.
“We start a battle for electoral justice so that we have credible elections in this country,” he told NASA backers in call for them to boycott the repeat presidential election that was ordered by the Supreme Court.
“We call on Kenyans who love democracy to hold vigils and prayers and stay away from polling stations. We are aware that they plan to massacre our people. Let us deny them that chance.”
In the push for electoral reforms after the boycott of the repeat election, Raila activated the boycott of products from corporations he claimed were part of the August election rigging scheme.
Mobile service provider Safaricom, Haco Industries, Bidco, and Uhuru’s Brookside, were among the entities that were targetted in the drive.
The goal – ” to bring the institutions to their knees” – followed Raila’s announcement that the National Super Alliance had changed into a resistance movement.
“Big corporations are part in efforts to kill democracy in Kenya. We have the power and if they want to stifle our democracy, we can retaliate,” Raila told journalists then.
He said at least 250 of his supporters were killed, especially in Nasa strongholds of Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya and parts of Nairobi. NASA even threatened to secede and form a republic ‘where the right to vote and elect a president is guaranteed’.
NASA head of strategy David Ndii said the coalition is well prepared for mass action and secession. “If change cannot come through the ballot, it will come through the bullet.”
Part of the resistance was to be driven by “People’s Assemblies”. The same were to be established in NASA leaning counties. A number of county assemblies ratified the move.
It was through these that later on January 30, the opposition brigade embarked on a vigorous plan to swear-in Raila as the People’s president.
Former Attorney General Githu Muigai warned that Raila would be charged with treason if he proceeded with the oathing plan. The punishment for treason is death.
But Raila defied the threats, wore a white outfit and a black cap and proceeded with oath. He swore by the Bible and signed documents to the effect of assuming his role as the People’s President.
“I, Raila Amollo Odinga, do swear that I will protect the nation as the people’s president.. that I will be faithful … so help me God,” he declared to thousands of his followers at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
The ecstatic supporters who went to the venue from as early as 6am cheered, danced and blew whistles during the proceedings. The police declared the meeting illegal but later withdrew.
Raila’s oath was administered by Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang and former Nairobi governor candidate Miguna Miguna.