Monday, December 31, 2007

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga has called for a million-man march on Thursday to protest what they called a “civilian coup”.

Leading the party’s 100 MPs-elect, Mr Odinga said the Electoral Commission had presided over a civilian coup by declaring President Mwai Kibaki the Head of State.

They have decided to put off a public rally earlier planned for today at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park, and instead vowed to use peaceful means to force President Kibaki out of office. Today’s rally was styled as a platform for Mr Odinga to address the nation as the President-elect.

The party said they had already issued the requisite three-day notice to the police about the Thursday march, expected to take place in all major towns in the country. Party supporters will wear black bands, cloths and carry twigs only.

“We are law abiding citizens of Kenya who do not want to give anybody an opportunity to claim the laws were ignored. They are now informed that Kenyans will demand back power the ECK had given Mr Kibaki in a civilian coup,” Mr Odinga said.