The much-hyped 'swearing in' ceremony of Raila Odinga has elicited mixed reactions as Kenyans on Twitter expressed what they feel about the event.

This is after opposition leaders insisted on proceeding with the 'swearing in' of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as the people’s president and deputy president of the people of Kenya at Uhuru Park; despite warnings from government and police about illegalities surrounding the event.

ALSO READ: State of affairs ahead of Raila 'oath' (Videos)

Using the hashtag #NASASwearingIn some Kenyans supported the 'swearing-in' event while Jubilee supporters dismissed it as a meaningless oath.

After major TV stations including KTN News, NTV and Citizen went off air, NASA supporters vowed to follow the event via social media.

As supporters from NASA strongholds were heading to Uhuru Park on Tuesday morning for the much-anticipated 'swearing in ceremony, residents in Jubilee strongholds had different views about it.

Speaking to KTN News reporter in Nyeri town, some Jubilee supporters wanted the government to arrest NASA leaders after being 'sworn in'. They said the country has a president who was sworn in according to the requirements established in the constitution of Kenya.

Most of the Jubilee supporters who spoke to KTN News during a live interview on Tuesday morning said the NASA 'swearing in' event is illegal.

Some county governments in NASA strongholds had ferried supporters to Nairobi for the event. For example, several buses were hired to take opposition supporters from Mombasa to Nairobi.

On Monday, hundreds of youths staged protests in Kisumu over alleged ‘laxity’ by area leaders to ferry them to Nairobi for the 'swearing in' of Raila Odinga. The youths, who were chanting pro-NASA slogans, stormed the county headquarters demanding audience with county officials.

A section of NASA supporters in other counties such as Busia and Kakamega failed to travel to Nairobi after lacking means of transport and support from local opposition leaders.

ALSO READ: Youths storm Governor's office, demand transport to go for Raila Odinga 'swearing in' event

Below are comments by Kenyans on Twitter;

IrakiHn @harry_ndungu After the swearing in, Rao na Kalonzo wataelekea Statehouse ipi? #NASASwearingIn

@IamNjokiKelvin #NASAOathDay #NASASwearingIn Revolutions are not planned! Revolutions are spontaneous! You cannot do so WITHOUT the aid of MILITARY. Civilian coup hardly succeed.

moodykimwele @moodsthatbug #NASASwearingIn two important days in a mans life, the day his born and the day you stand up for what you believe in?

True Patriot @Obi_kenya001 The problem with Raila and his team is being slow, the more they delay the more the despots are winning. I hope they're not looking for a reason to postpone or cancel the swearing in. Anxiety is killing me #NASASwearingIn #RailaSwearingIn #NASAOathDay

lgon Maasai @sammy_monoo Uhuru Park, Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway are Freedom Lanes. It is filled with NASAsuppoters who are now controlling traffic. @Ma3Route #NASASwearingIn #NASAOathDay

kot hacker @kot_hacker The despot are busy taking down live streaming, people are busy streaming to Uhuru park. #NASASwearingIn #livestreaming #NASAOathDay

BABAKE...DC1X @IvanHezz @CoalitionNASAKe doesn't even have a TV station aligned to its leaders. all TV stations are owned by jubilee guys and we expect them to air our Oath. #NASASwearingIn #RailaSwearingIn

Onesmus @ones_mc @RailaOdinga @skmusyoka If you don't get sworn in today, your contracts with the KENYAN people will be gone for good #NASASwearingIn #NASAOathDay </s> NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan police arrested an opposition lawmaker who administered the oath during a symbolic “swearing in” of opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, an opposition senator said on Wednesday.

“He has been arrested and taken to Nairobi area police headquarters,” James Orengo told Reuters. </s> Several hundred supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered on Tuesday morning at a park in downtown Nairobi, determined to “swear in as president” their leader who boycotted a re-run election last year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term in November after winning the repeat presidential election in October that Odinga boycotted due to doubts it would be free and fair.

Kenyatta had also been declared winner of the August election, but the Supreme Court later nullified that result, over irregularities.

Odinga said the October election was “fake” and earlier said a “people’s assembly” would swear him in on December 12. That did not happen, and a new event was planned for Tuesday.

By 0600 GMT, about 400 people were gathered in Uhuru Park, near Nairobi’s main business district.

Though the police had said they would prohibit any illegal assemblies on Tuesday, there were no uniformed police in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles.

Local radio station Capital FM reported that supporters had been granted permission by Kenyan authorities to use the park. Police and government spokesman were not immediately reachable for comment on that report.

”The swearing in that will happen today is legitimate based on the August 8 election. Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in,” said hairdresser Benta Akinyi, 32, standing near other opposition supporters blowing horns and whistles. </s> NASA leader Raila Odinga was ‘sworn in’ as people’s president of Kenya Tuesday afternoon at the Nairobi’s Uhuru Park in the absence of his deputy Kalonzo Musyoka.

The Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was expected to take oath with Raila Odinga since the presidency is a joint ticket of president and deputy president.

ALSO READ: ‘Swearing-in’ ceremony is still on, Raila assures supporters

Speaking shortly after taking ‘oath’, Raila said the event marks the end of electoral injustice in Kenya, adding that Kalonzo will be ‘sworn-in’ at a later date.

Other NASA principals Moses Wetang’ula and Musalia Mudavadi were also missing as Raila ‘took oath’.

All the NASA principals have been pushing for the swearing in of the NASA leader, in an attempt to achieve electoral justice. The opposition had rejected to recognize Uhuru Kenyatta as president of Kenya after he was declared winner of the October 26 repeat election. NASA followers in action before the swearing in of Raila Odinga at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on 30/01/2018. (Jenipher Wachie,Standard)

The opposition postponed the swearing in last year on Jamhuri Day December 12, explaining that they had to wait for Kalonzo who was in Germany by then attending to his sick wife.

Before postponing the swearing in, NASA said they were either to swear in Raila alone as Kalonzo is sworn in later, wait for Kalonzo to come before swearing in both of them or they take representatives to swear Kalonzo in Germany. After consultations, they decided to postpone the swearing in, a decision that left majority of NASA supporters disappointed.

Supporters expected Raila to be sworn in with Kalonzo Tuesday afternoon but Kalonzo did not show up. Tuesday morning, Kalonzo had said they were still consulting before the oath is conducted as scheduled. Kalonzo had also condemned Communications Authority for shutting down national TV stations KTN News, Citizen and NTV at a time when Kenyans were supposed to witness the swearing in.

Attorney General Githu Muigai had warned NASA leaders against taking oath, saying that they risk committing high treason whose penalty is death.

NASA dismissed Muigai’s warning, insisting that they were operating within the law. Later, Raila Odinga said he was ready to die if that is what it takes to pay for fighting against electoral injustices in the country.

ALSO READ: Kenyans react to 'swearing in' of the people’s president </s> NAIROBI: Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered in Nairobi Tuesday ahead of a ceremony to swear him in as an alternative president, three months after he claims an election was stolen from him.

The planned "inauguration" has raised fears of violence as police had vowed not to allow the event to go ahead. However officers kept their distance as hundreds gathered at the Uhuru park venue.

Odinga, 72, a veteran opposition leader who claims he has had three elections stolen from him, has refused to accept President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election, which came after a deeply divisive 2017 polls season in which rights activists say at least 92 people were killed.

First was an election on August 8, won by Kenyatta, which was annulled in a historic decision by the Supreme Court, which ordered a re-run on October 26.

Claiming the poll would not be fair, Odinga boycotted the second vote and Kenyatta won with 98 percent.

Odinga postponed a previous effort to swear himself in last month, but his party insists Tuesday's event will take place.

'People's assemblies' 

 "We intend to hold a peaceful event, in total compliance with the constitution and the law," read a statement from the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition.

"We nonetheless wish to put the Jubilee (party) administration on notice that we will accomplish our mission come hell or high water."

While officers patrolled on horseback from a distance, police sources said a decision had been taken to avoid confrontation, after the city police chief earlier said "the grounds will be a no-go zone".

Attorney General Githu Muigai warned last month that any "swearing-in" would be treasonous, raising the possibility of Odinga's arrest, a move that would heighten tensions.

"Let them have the park and carry on with their political activities as long as it is within the law," a senior officer said.

Since boycotting the re-run poll, citing a lack of reform at the election commission, NASA's strategy has been to challenge Kenyatta's legitimacy by seeking to establish parallel government structures.

Opposition politicians have convened so-called "people's assemblies" in some counties and the inauguration of Odinga as "people's president" is seen as the culmination of this process.

Kenya's editors guild released a statement on Monday night saying that Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto had summoned media managers and editors, threatening to "shut down and revoke the licences of any media house that would broadcast live" the swearing-in.

One of the country's main television and radio broadcasters, Citizen TV -- which had been covering the event reported online mid-morning that its transmission had been switched off by the communications authority. </s> Nairobi — Independently owned Citizen Television and Radio stations said on Tuesday that government authorities had forced them off the air over plans to cover a gathering in the capital where opposition leader Raila Odinga plans to swear himself in as president.

"The Communications Authority of Kenya has switched off Citizen Television and Radio in most parts of the country over the coverage of the Nasa ‘swearing-in’ plan," the Citizen website said, referring to the opposition Nasa alliance.

Several hundred supporters of opposition leader Odinga gathered on Tuesday morning at a park in downtown Nairobi, determined to "swear in as president" their leader, who boycotted an election rerun last year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term in November after winning the repeat presidential election in October that Odinga boycotted due to doubts it would be free and fair.

Kenyatta had also been declared winner of the August election, but the Supreme Court later nullified that result, over irregularities.

Odinga said the October election was "fake" and earlier said a "people’s assembly" would swear him in on December 12. That did not happen, and a new event was planned for Tuesday.

By 6am GMT, about 400 people were gathered in Uhuru Park, near Nairobi’s main business district.

Although the police had said they would prohibit any illegal assemblies on Tuesday, there were no uniformed police in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles.

Local radio station Capital FM reported that supporters had been granted permission by Kenyan authorities to use the park.

Police and government spokesmen were not immediately reachable for comment on that report.

"The swearing in that will happen today is legitimate based on the August 8 election. Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in," said hairdresser Benta Akinyi standing near other opposition supporters blowing horns and whistles. </s> Several hundred supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered on Tuesday morning at a park in downtown Nairobi, determined to "swear in as president" their leader who boycotted a re-run election last year.

NAIROBI: More than two thousand supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gathered on Tuesday in a Nairobi park where he was due to take the presidential oath in an act of protest against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term in November after winning a re-run of presidential election which Odinga boycotted, citing doubts it would be free and fair. An election in August, which Kenyatta also won, was later nullified by the Supreme Court over irregularities.

The attorney-general has previously warned that Odinga could face treason charges if the event goes ahead. The punishment for treason is death.

As the crowd gathered, government authorities began to force independent television and radio stations reporting on the gathering off air, several outlets said.

By 0800 GMT, more than 2,000 people were gathered in Uhuru Park, near Nairobi's main business district. Many were chanting Odinga slogans and waving tree branches.

"Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in," said hairdresser Benta Akinyi, 32, standing near other opposition supporters blowing horns and whistles.

Though the police had said they would prohibit any illegal assemblies on Tuesday, there were no uniformed police in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles visible.

Nearly 100 people killed in violence over the prolonged election period, mostly in clashes between Odinga supporters and police.

Local radio station Capital FM reported that supporters had been granted permission by Kenyan authorities to use the park. Police and government spokesman were not immediately reachable for comment on that report.

"We intend to hold a peaceful event," Odinga's alliance said in a statement late on Monday.

"We nonetheless wish to put the (ruling party) Jubilee administration on notice that we will accomplish our mission come hell or high water. We advise our supporters to come prepared to stay until our mission is accomplished."

By 0720 GMT, a number of media outlets, including independently-owned Citizen radio and television, and independently-owned NTV and KTN, which had a livestream from the park, had been forced off the air by government authorities, they said.

A spokeswoman for the Communications Authority said they were in a meeting and would comment later.

"The Communications Authority of Kenya has switched off Citizen Television and Radio in most parts of the country over the coverage of the NASA ‘swearing-in’ plan," Citizen said on its website.

On Monday, Linus Kaikai, chairman of the Kenya Editors Guild, said senior editors had been summoned by the authorities and warned not to cover the event or risk being shut down. </s> Renown political analyst, Mutahi Ngunyi, has dragged Chief Justice David Maraga into the Nasa swearing-in shenanigans, saying it is a plot to overthrow President Uhuru Kenyatta from power.

According to the professor’s recent analysis of the current political situation in the country, Ngunyi claims that Justice Maraga is hoping to become a caretaker president after Raila Odinga is sworn-in as President.

In the latest Fourth Estate video on YouTube, Ngunyi alleges that Maraga gave magistrates and judges the green light to preside over the oath-taking by Raila, when he distanced himself from a letter cautioning Judges from engaging in the swearing-in event.

Ngunyi is advising Uhuru to deal with the National Super Alliance head without mercy, the way retired President Daniel Moi used to deal with his opponents adding that security officers attached to Raila should be recalled and their guns withdrawn.

On top of that, Ngunyi suggests that the government should confiscate the bodyguards’ passports before being put under house arrest in order to completely paralyse Mr Odinga and make it difficult for him to operate.

If Uhuru chooses to allow the swearing-in to continue, the political commentator reckons Raila will make life difficult for him and force a caretaker government.

Meanwhile, it’s all systems go for the swearing-in of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as the Peoples’ President on Tuesday, January 30 at Uhuru Park even after police declared the grounds a no-go zone.

Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome has directed his officers not spare rowdy Opposition supporters days after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko closed the park for renovations. </s> NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Latest on Kenya’s elections (all times local):

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is observing Kenya’s elections, is calling for patience and says eventual vote-counting will be critical to the success of the process.

“There are a lot of people in line, and it is going to take some time, and we are going to need to be very patient,” said Kerry, chief election observer for The Carter Center. “But obviously, the transition from voting to counting is going to be critical and there is a process in place for that too. That’s why it is too early for us to be drawing any kinds of conclusions, but we will see where it goes.”

Kerry said that his team will be talking to election officials and other observers and that “over the course of the next day and a half, two days, solid judgments will begin to be made.”

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has voted in his birthplace of Gatundu, north of Nairobi.

Kenyans on Tuesday started voting in a fiercely contested election that pits Kenyatta against challenger Raila Odinga. This East Africa economic hub is known known for its relative, long-term stability as well as vying ethnic allegiances that shadow its democracy.

“I feel good. I feel positive because we ran a positive campaign,” Kenyatta said after casting his vote. He urged Kenyans to vote peacefully and go home to await the results. He was accompanied by his wife, Margaret, his mother and two of his three children.

“Peace. Peace. Peace,” said Kenyatta, who seeks a second and final term in office. “I say peace because Kenya was here before and it will be here after today.”

Raila Odinga, the main opposition challenger in Kenya’s tightly-contested election, has voted.

Odinga, 72, voted in the poor area of Kibera, an opposition stronghold in the capital, Nairobi, and was surrounded by well-wishers. He urged supporters to gather on Wednesday in a downtown park for what he predicted would be a celebration.

“Uhuru must go,” chanted some in the crowd, referring to President Uhuru Kenyatta, who seeks a second term in office.

A Kenyan legislator who supports Raila Odinga, the main opposition leader running for president, says he is worried about some flaws in the voting process in Kenya’s hotly contested elections.

Kenyan are voting Tuesday in the elections pitting Odinga against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We hope the counting process will be as good as the voting and the results will reflect the true winner,” said Ken Okoth, legislator for the Kibera constituency in Nairobi.

“There is concern over voter registration where people who corrected mistakes of their details cannot find their names on the list. I estimate between 500 and 1,000 people are affected by this,” he said.

Okoth called for vigilance, saying it brings credibility to the elections.

An international election observer says Kenyans are voting with enthusiasm and that the process is going well.

John Mahama, chief election observer for the Commonwealth and former president of Ghana, said early Tuesday that he is impressed by the voter turnout.

“There have been no incidents so far,” Mahama said. “Voting seems to be going smoothly and I think it is a good sign for Kenyan democracy.”

Kenya has 20 million registered voters out of a population of more than 40 million people. They are voting in a fiercely contested election that pits President Uhuru Kenyatta against challenger Raila Odinga.

A 102-year-old woman believed to be one of Kenya’s oldest citizens said she has voted for incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta.

“I have come here to vote because good leadership comes from God. I want to vote because I believe God has kept me alive for so many years,” said Gathoni.

Kenyans on Tuesday started voting in an election that pits Kenyatta against challenger Raila Odinga in this East African economic hub known for its relative, long-term stability as well as the ethnic allegiances that shadow its democracy.

Election officials say the winner of Kenya’s presidential race must get more than 50 percent of the votes as well as one-quarter or more votes in at least 24 of Kenya’s 47 counties. If the front-runner falls short of those benchmarks, the two top contenders will contest a run-off vote.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and challenger Raila Odinga also faced off in the 2013 election. Kenyatta won by a thin margin, with just over 50 percent of the vote; Odinga alleged vote-tampering and took his case to Kenya’s highest court, which ruled in Kenyatta’s favor by validating the results.

Like many Kenyan voters, 34-year-old Fred Nyakundi arrived at a polling station several hours before it opened and waited in line in the dark before casting his vote.

“The exercise is very slow, but I am happy with the service I got,” said Nyakundi, who owns a carpentry business in Nairobi. “I am going home to open the business and wait for results.”

Another voter, 41-year-old Fatuma Ramadhan, thought the voting procedure was speedy. She was able to vote at 6 a.m., when polling stations opened, and then opened her restaurant to serve breakfast to other voters.

Early voters went to the polls across the country at sunrise. Election officials say the polls will close at 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. Eastern Time, 14:00GMT) Vote counting will start immediately and results are expected within 24 to 48 hours, although authorities have up to a week to deliver official, final results.

Kenyans are voting in an election that pits President Uhuru Kenyatta against challenger Raila Odinga in an East African economic hub known as much for its relative, long-term stability as the ethnic allegiances that shadow its democracy.

A key concern after polls opened Tuesday was whether Kenya would echo its 2013 election, a mostly peaceful affair despite opposition allegations of vote-tampering, or the 2007 election, which led to violence fueled by ethnic divisions that killed more than 1,000 people.

Reaction to the result could partly depend on the performance of Kenya’s electoral commission, which will collect vote counts from more than 40,000 polling stations. Kenya has nearly 20 million registered voters.

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is among thousands of observers who are monitoring the election.

AP writers Chris Torchia and Tom Odula in Nairobi, Kenya contributed to this series.

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Raila Odinga stages a swearing in ceremony in Nairobi in which he names himself the 'People's president'.