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Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as "the people's president" in mock inauguration

  • <p>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. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
    1/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    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. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP)

  • <p>A man wears a mask among fellow supporters as Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga (not pictured) takes a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
    2/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    A man wears a mask among fellow supporters as Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga (not pictured) takes a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters)

  • <p>Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) stands for the national anthem before taking a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
    3/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) stands for the national anthem before taking a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters)

  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • <p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gather during a swearing-in ceremony of Odinga as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
    4/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gather during a swearing-in ceremony of Odinga as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

  • <p>Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) raises his fist before taking a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018.<br> (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
    5/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) raises his fist before taking a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018.
    (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters)

  • <p>Supporters cheer as they wait for Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition to be sworn in as the President of the People’s Assembly at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
    6/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters cheer as they wait for Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition to be sworn in as the President of the People’s Assembly at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters)

  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gestures during a swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
    7/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gestures during a swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

  • <p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition hold a Bible ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the peopleís assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
    8/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition hold a Bible ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the peopleís assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

  • <p>Police tear gas to disperse National Super Alliance (Nasa) opposition supporters in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Brian Inganga/AP) </p>
    9/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Police tear gas to disperse National Super Alliance (Nasa) opposition supporters in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Brian Inganga/AP)

  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture as they walk along a street ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
    10/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture as they walk along a street ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

  • <p>A supporter of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition stands on a pole as he blows a horn ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
    11/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    A supporter of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition stands on a pole as he blows a horn ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters)

  • <p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga attend a mock “swearing-in” ceremony at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
    12/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga attend a mock “swearing-in” ceremony at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP)

  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture through a bus window ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
    13/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture through a bus window ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters)

  • <p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
    14/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

  • <p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga arrive by bus, as they gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
    15/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga arrive by bus, as they gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP)

  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>A supporter of opposition leader Raila Odinga wears a headdress of oranges, the party color, as they gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
    16/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    A supporter of opposition leader Raila Odinga wears a headdress of oranges, the party color, as they gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP)

  • <p>A supporter of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition carries banners and flags ahead of Odinga’s planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
    17/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    A supporter of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition carries banners and flags ahead of Odinga’s planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters)

  • <p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, one wearing a t-shirt with his picture, gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
    18/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, one wearing a t-shirt with his picture, gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP)

  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, one wearing a Pharaoh costume, gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
    19/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, one wearing a Pharaoh costume, gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP)

  • <p>Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives for the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and the Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 29, 2018. (Photo: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters) </p>
    20/20

    Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sworn in as ‘the people’s president’ in mock inauguration

    Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives for the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and the Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 29, 2018. (Photo: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters)

<p>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. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
<p>A man wears a mask among fellow supporters as Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga (not pictured) takes a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
<p>Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) stands for the national anthem before taking a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
<p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gather during a swearing-in ceremony of Odinga as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
<p>Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) raises his fist before taking a symbolic presidential oath of office in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018.<br> (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
<p>Supporters cheer as they wait for Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition to be sworn in as the President of the People’s Assembly at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
<p>Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gestures during a swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
<p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition hold a Bible ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the peopleís assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
<p>Police tear gas to disperse National Super Alliance (Nasa) opposition supporters in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Brian Inganga/AP) </p>
<p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture as they walk along a street ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
<p>A supporter of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition stands on a pole as he blows a horn ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
<p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga attend a mock “swearing-in” ceremony at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
<p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture through a bus window ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
<p>Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition gesture ahead of his planned swearing-in ceremony as the president of the Peopleís Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters) </p>
<p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga arrive by bus, as they gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
<p>A supporter of opposition leader Raila Odinga wears a headdress of oranges, the party color, as they gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
<p>A supporter of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition carries banners and flags ahead of Odinga’s planned swearing-in ceremony as the President of the People’s Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters) </p>
<p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, one wearing a t-shirt with his picture, gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
<p>Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga, one wearing a Pharaoh costume, gather in advance of a mock “swearing-in” ceremony of Odinga at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP) </p>
<p>Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives for the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and the Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 29, 2018. (Photo: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters) </p>
Yahoo News Photo Staff

In a ceremony that Kenya’s government warned would be treason, opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday was sworn in as “the people’s president” during a mock inauguration protesting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s new term after months of deadly election turmoil.

The government cut live transmission of the country’s top three TV channels as a huge crowd of tens of thousands gathered in a Nairobi park for the event. Kenyatta had “expressly threatened to shut down and revoke the licenses of any media house” that aired live broadcasts, the Kenya Editors Guild said in a statement.

Though police were withdrawn without explanation at Uhuru Park, a heavy police presence remained in the capital’s slums, which are opposition strongholds. Odinga said he felt vulnerable attending the “swearing-in” after his security was withdrawn. (AP)

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