As Kenya Political Stalemate Drags On, U.S. Becomes a Target
- 6 years ago
As Kenya Political Stalemate Drags On, U.S. Becomes a Target
16, 2018
NAIROBI — Supporters of Kenya’s main opposition leader burned an American flag near the United States Embassy
and marched to the building’s gate on Friday, two days after youth leaders threatened the American ambassador.
At a news conference on Wednesday by the opposition’s youth wing, one leader, Damon Osawa, threatened to occupy Mr. Godec’s residence
and promised him "a serious fight." "I’m telling you, it is not going to be a normal day for you," said Mr. Osawa, who also goes by the name Jonah and is the youth leader of Mr. Odinga’s political party.
The opposition’s frustration with United States policy has been building for weeks, even as its coalition has begun to crumble amid disagreements surrounding Mr. Odinga’s self-styled inauguration as "the people’s president."
That move provoked a state crackdown on dissent, with the government shutting independent television stations for more than a week, arresting opposition politicians, defying court orders to restore TV broadcasts and deporting an opposition lawyer.
They say the American government has unfairly criticized the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, and they are impatient with American demands
that Mr. Odinga accept the results of last year’s presidential election, which handed his longtime rival, Uhuru Kenyatta, a second term.
About a dozen supporters of Mr. Odinga carried signs
that said, among other things, "Godec must go" — referring to the United States ambassador, Robert F. Godec — and marched less than half a mile to the embassy.
Senior opposition officials have distanced the coalition from the threatening language used at the news conference,
and Mr. Lone said youth members were not official spokespeople of the coalition.
16, 2018
NAIROBI — Supporters of Kenya’s main opposition leader burned an American flag near the United States Embassy
and marched to the building’s gate on Friday, two days after youth leaders threatened the American ambassador.
At a news conference on Wednesday by the opposition’s youth wing, one leader, Damon Osawa, threatened to occupy Mr. Godec’s residence
and promised him "a serious fight." "I’m telling you, it is not going to be a normal day for you," said Mr. Osawa, who also goes by the name Jonah and is the youth leader of Mr. Odinga’s political party.
The opposition’s frustration with United States policy has been building for weeks, even as its coalition has begun to crumble amid disagreements surrounding Mr. Odinga’s self-styled inauguration as "the people’s president."
That move provoked a state crackdown on dissent, with the government shutting independent television stations for more than a week, arresting opposition politicians, defying court orders to restore TV broadcasts and deporting an opposition lawyer.
They say the American government has unfairly criticized the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, and they are impatient with American demands
that Mr. Odinga accept the results of last year’s presidential election, which handed his longtime rival, Uhuru Kenyatta, a second term.
About a dozen supporters of Mr. Odinga carried signs
that said, among other things, "Godec must go" — referring to the United States ambassador, Robert F. Godec — and marched less than half a mile to the embassy.
Senior opposition officials have distanced the coalition from the threatening language used at the news conference,
and Mr. Lone said youth members were not official spokespeople of the coalition.