Was the Famous ‘Handshake’ between Uhuru and Raila Meant to Create more Positions for the Dynasties or Uniting Kenyans against Electoral Injustices?
The famous March 9 2018 unity deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga commonly referred as ‘Handshake’ achieved it’s immediate goal of neutralizing the political tension building among supporters of the two leaders.
Sure to the bidding principles, the ‘Handshake’has made the nation stable for citizens to move freely and created conducive environment to do business. But alas all has not been well within the ruling Jubilee Party as allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy Dr William Ruto have not enjoyed peace with jostling becoming order of the day under the two distinct camps; Kieleweke and Tanga Tanga.
DP William Ruto has maintained his loyalty and respect to President Kenyatta in all public forums to fulfil their joint campaign pledges despite the division caused by the ‘Handshake’.
The ‘Handshake’ changed the political dynamics in the country and many politicians allied to ODM Leader Raila Odinga who used to be hostile to President Kenyatta are now working closely with the Head of State.
Many Kenyans question whether the ‘Handshake’ was formed to mantain the status quo of the political dynasty or bring solutions to electoral Injustices which has remained the major cause of post election violence which comes after every general election. The government has tried to address the electoral injustices, but Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has always carried blame for perpetuating electoral fraud.
Deputy President Dr William Ruto who is a political schemer who has matured to become a powerful politician is seen as a frontrunner in 2022 Presidential race to face Raila Odinga.
During last Friday’s meeting when President Kenyatta met Mt. Kenya leaders in Sagana State Lodge, he declared that his relationship with his deputy president was intact. The president said he had not changed from his earlier statement of supporting DP Ruto’s after serving his two terms in office.
And in what appeared like balancing tactics not to annoy either DP Ruto’s and Raila Odinga, the President left leaders in the meeting more confused.
He clarified that he had not promised Raila Odinga any political support in 2022 stating that it’s God who knows who will lead the country after the next polls.
After the Sagana State Lodge meeting focus now is the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) whose report is yet to be presented to President Kenyatta and Raila, before being made public.
The BBI report is expected to give the direction, Kenya’s politics will take a head of 2022 general elections.
Should it propose constitutional changes through a referendum, then politicians will stand divided either in support or opposition to the changes.