Opposition leader Raila Odinga holds a bible aloft after swearing an oath during a mock "swearing-in" ceremony at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Odinga was sworn-in as "the people's president" during a mock "inauguration", in protest of President Uhuru Kenyatta's new term following the divisive 2017 election, and despite the government's warning that the event would be considered treason.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga holds a bible aloft after swearing an oath during a mock "swearing-in" ceremony at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Odinga was sworn-in as "the people's president" during a mock "inauguration", in protest of President Uhuru Kenyatta's new term following the divisive 2017 election, and despite the government's warning that the event would be considered treason. Ben Curtis AP Photo
Opposition leader Raila Odinga holds a bible aloft after swearing an oath during a mock "swearing-in" ceremony at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Odinga was sworn-in as "the people's president" during a mock "inauguration", in protest of President Uhuru Kenyatta's new term following the divisive 2017 election, and despite the government's warning that the event would be considered treason. Ben Curtis AP Photo

National Business

Kenyan police arrest lawyer who attended mock inauguration

The Associated Press

February 02, 2018 04:42 AM

NAIROBI, Kenya

A Kenyan rights activist says police are preventing him from serving the court order for the government to restore the transmissions of three leading TV stations after they tried to broadcast opposition leader Raila Odinga swearing himself in as "the people's president."

Activist Okiya Omtata says police are preventing him from serving the order to Kenya's communications authority. Police were not immediately available to comment.

Also Friday, police arrested a second lawyer who stood beside Odinga in Tuesday's ceremony that was meant to protest what the opposition considers rigged elections last year. Miguna Miguna was taken from his home.

The U.S. government says it is "gravely concerned" by Tuesday's ceremony. The State Department statement also urges Kenyan authorities to act on the court order and restore the TV broadcasts.

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