Kenya Stockholm Blog

Raila Odinga Book Presentation In Uppsala 09/03

Mr. Okoth Osewe: The author

Kenya’s elections in late December 2007 plunged the country into an immediate crisis of unforeseen dimensions. The unexpected degree of spontaneous as well as planned violence erupting gruesomely killed an estimated 1,500 people, caused large-scale destruction of property and resulted in the displacement of some 350,000 people. It became evident that the hitherto widely perceived relative political stability in Kenya was not the true social reality.

Upon invitation of the government, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary or summary executions undertook a fact-finding mission during February 2009. His preliminary report presented damning evidence of organized killings by members of the Kenyan police forces as endemic to the country’s coercive climate.

Kenya’s protracted search for a political compromise, resulting in a government of national unity, could well be a prelude for a new kind of soft coup attempts by ousted or illegitimate leaders, who instead of vacating office refuse to abandon power and negotiate continued rule. The book, Raila Odinga’s Stolen Presidency: Consequences And The Future of Kenya, presents a clear view: According to its author, the elections were rigged in favour of the President Mwai Kibaki. His hastily arranged swearing in for a new term was tantamount to theft of office from the contender Raila Odinga.

The author will present his case for further debate on Monday, 9th March 2009, at 17.00 to 19.00 hrs at the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, Uppsala.  Beyond a critical analysis of the events since late 2007, the presentation and discussion will also explore the future perspectives and effects of politics in Kenya. Copies of the book will be available.
Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, Övreslottsgatan 2 Uppsala.

March 2, 2009 Posted by makozewe | Raila Odinga's Stolen Presidency | 8 Comments