Who ever thought that a handshake between two people would ever be this famous to the extent of receiving awards and gaining international recognition? Well, turn out that the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA Leader Raila Odinga is one of a kind.
The handshake between the two has seen them receive world class recognition and honour like the one they will today be feted with at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).
The JOOUST will today during their 6th annual graduation at the institution’s main campus in Bondo, Siaya County, honour the two with honorary degrees because their “handshake’ after the tumultuous General Election.
The JOOUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Agong’ said that they would confer the honorary degree to the two leaders during the graduation ceremony for their peace initiative following their March 9 handshake that ended weeks of political turmoil after the disputed 2017 Presidential election.
“Our theme for this year’s graduation is ‘Science, Technology and Innovation for Peace and Socio-Economic Development’. This decoration, therefore, really fits within that realm given that our two leaders have demonstrated that they are true statesmen by causing peace and harmony for our beloved country,” said Prof. Agong’.
The event is part of President Kenyatta’s three-day tour of Kisumu and Siaya which happens to be the first time he is touring the counties since the divisive elections last year.
Speaking in an interview at a vernacular radio station, Mr Odinga said they humbly accept the award.
“We shall be at the University and have humbly accepted the award following our March 9 handshake that ended weeks of heightened tension in the country,” said Mr Odinga.
The award at JOOUST comes hot on the heels of another conferred on the two leaders in October 2018 following their handshake which ended political acrimony and intolerance after the disputed August 8, 2017 presidential poll that was nullified by the Supreme Court.
The London Political Summit, which honoured the two leaders termed them as “great men with a long and rich history behind them.”
They were honoured by the British Houses of parliament with the African Peace Award 2018 which is usually presented every year during October’s Black History Month in the UK.
“This year (London Political) summit would be a unique one, as it offers us an opportunity for the first time, to honour two great sons and esteemed leaders of African politics at the summit. These two great men themselves have a long, rich history behind them as [both] their parents were the founding fathers of Kenyan political and democratic history.
“It is a great privilege to identify with these two great men of honour, Rt Hon Uhuru Kenyatta, and Rt Hon Raila Odinga, for their historic, political sportsmanship and adherence to the principle of political tolerance with the, ‘Peace Accord Handshake’ to end ethnic antagonism and mischievous political competition, public corruption and lack of national ethos, in the history of Kenya politics and democracy,” read press release for the awards.
Do you think the Uhuru-Ruto was a big deal or did they owe it to Kenyans to make peace with each other?