New details have emerged on the concerted efforts that were led by billionaire businessman Jimi Wanjigi aimed at ensuring NASA leader Raila Odinga agreed to be sworn in as the People’s President.
The Star on Friday reported its sources intimating that Wanjigi was the powerful force behind the controversial swearing that finally materialised on Tuesday.
playRaila Odinga (third from right) celebrates his swearing in with his wife Ida and close allies (Twitter)
The billionaire is reported to have enlisted Odinga’s children Raila Junior and Winnie in to his campaign to have the NASA leader sworn in.
A day ahead of the controversial swearing in, Wanjigi is reported to have spent the day plotting how the inauguration would play out – with the hope that the aftermath would force President Uhuru Kenyatta to finally agree to negotiate with Raila.
playJimi Wanjigi (centre) with Winnie Odinga at a past event (Nation)
The businessman, having observed the government’s threats to the Opposition, was convinced that security agencies would attempt to destabilise the inauguration which would trigger a violent confrontation between the police and the Opposition’s die-hard supporters.
The situation, however, changed after the police made a last minute retreat on Tuesday – just hours before Raila was sworn in.
Wanjigi is among NASA operatives who were conspicuously present at Uhuru Park - together with Miguna Miguna, James Orengo, TJ Kajwang, David Ndii, and Hassan Joho.
