The handshake, a word that has been synonymous with many Kenyans for months now. The handshake was something that many of us did not see coming. In fact many viewed it as a move by Raila Odinga to silence his political critics.
The handshake has not only caused confusion in the Jubilee camp but has also kind of left the 2022 Presidential race wide open with Ruto’s earlier claimed “front-runner” role not certain. This is because there have been claims that President Uhuru might not end up endorsing Ruto given the current circumstances.
Ruto’s allies on the other hand feel like Raila Odinga is in a mission to ensure Ruto does not get to Statehouse. They have cited Raila Odinga’s point men continued attacks on Ruto and their resolve to ensure that Ruto does not ascend to the country’s top most seat. ODM leaders snubb of Ruto’s visit to Migori and Homa bay counties seem to have been the last straw.
Speaking at a fundraiser at Fort Ternan Full Gospel Church yesterday,Ruto’s point-men led by Kipchumba Murkomen said that the Jubilee leadership was not amused by the snubbing of Deputy President William Ruto’s development tours of Nyanza region by leaders allied to Raila.
“Raila talks of having embraced democracy and peace yet he bars leaders, especially from Kisumu, Siaya and Migori, from attending Ruto’s development tours. We ask him to be a statesman and allow ODM leaders to interact with Ruto and everyone else,” said Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen.
Mr Murkomen warned Raila that if he stopped his party members from embracing and working with Rift Valley leaders, he risked forfeiting the goodwill of the Kalenjin community. “Raila must demonstrate that he is not out to zone his political turf from his competitors,” said Murkomen.
The leaders also cautioned the ODM Chief to prepare for a Political bombshell come 2022. President Kenyatta had earlier revealed that he will drop a political bombshell come 2022 with the Leaders from Rift Valley now suggesting that the bombshell is meant for Raila Odinga hence he should brace himself for one.
“The handshake was President Kenyatta’s political trick to remove a stumbling block in Ruto’s path. What the former prime minister should get ready for is just to assist the President in picking Ruto’s running mate,” said Mr Koskei.
Raila Odinga is seen as the main obstacle to a William Ruto presidency. Raila is yet to confirm whether he will be going for the top seat. He has however suggested that he will not take part in the 2022 race as he is now focused on his new job as AU High envoy for Infrastructure and Development but even that seem to have done little to calm the fears that keep growing in Ruto’s camp.
Do you believe that Raila Odinga will be deemed more irrelevant politically after the 2022 elections because of the handshake?