President Uhuru, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto were both in Nyanza from Thursday for Uhuru’s two day visit in the region, where he launched several development projects. Every leader present made his/her own remarks on the handshake, but did you know that Ruto’s Thursday remarks have landed him in problem with Raila?
Raila on Saturday slammed Deputy President Ruto over his ‘kati kati (in the middle)’ remarks during President Kenyatta’s visit to Nyanza.
“It’s foolishness for one to say that he stands between me and President Kenyatta in the handshake. We want people to avoid politics out of the handshake,” Raila said.
He spoke during a thanksgiving ceremony for Rangwe MP Lillian Gogo at Omoche Secondary School.
Raila said Ruto’s remarks were aimed at pushing Ruto’s 2022 political agenda, which is not part of the handshake agreement.
Raila said it is a bad show for leaders to meddle in what he and President Kenyatta agreed on to bring peace and a lasting political solution to the country.
He said the handshake truce was not meant for individual gain, but all Kenyans.
“The warm welcome you gave President Kenyatta and his delegation is a clear indication that the handshake is bearing the fruit of unity. You made us proud,” Raila said.
On Thursday in Kisumu, Ruto said: “President Kenyatta akiwa pande hii, Baba (Raila) akiwa pande hii, basi mjue mimi niko kati kati (If President Kenyatta is on this side and Raila on the other, you should know I’m in the middle).”
But on Saturday, Oginga said the remarks did not go down well with Nyanza residents.
Oburu claimed Ruto was not sincere in his support of the handshake.
He told DP to state his position over the truce.
“DP Ruto should not pretend to support the agreement because when he in his touring outside Nyanza, he criticises it,” Oburu said.
Orengo and Kajwang’ claimed handshake detractors are behind propaganda that some leaders from Nyanza were left out during the two-day tour by President Kenyatta in the region.