Kenya: Opposition leader vows resistance for democracy

By Andrew Wasike and Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – On the eve of controversial presidential polls, Kenya’s main opposition leader on Wednesday declared his opposition party has become a "resistance movement" which will unseat “dictators” who are violating the Kenyan Constitution by clinging to power by force.

Addressing thousands of his supporters at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Raila Odinga urged the masses not to participate in the Thursday elections and instead turn up in large numbers to protest.

"We will not respect or follow any laws that the Jubilee government has enacted. Starting tomorrow we, the opposition, will no longer be called the National Super Alliance (NASA) but the National Resistance Movement," he said.

Odinga himself withdrew from the race, complaining that the electoral authority had rigged the Aug. 8 election to make President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner and would do the same on Oct. 26.

"We will sabotage all businesses allied to President Kenyatta's government, we will fight for the constitution and democracy in any way possible," said Odinga.

Odinga urged his supporters to "embark on a national campaign of defiance of illegitimate governmental authority and non-cooperation with all its organs and to boycott the purchase of goods and services offered by the businesses for whose benefit dictatorship is being established."

Odinga affirmed that he will mobilize all progressive forces in the country allied to the opposition to ensure that a fresh, free and fair presidential election is organized within 90 days.