Raila Defends Uhuru-Ruto Ichaweri Meeting, Dispels Handshake Claims
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has addressed the controversial meeting between President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta in Ichaweri, refuting claims of a political handshake. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Raila emphasized that the term ‘handshake’ has been widely misunderstood.
He explained that the meeting involved only a greeting between the two leaders and did not signify any formal agreement or collaboration. According to Raila, an official handshake would require a signed agreement, which would then be publicly announced by the involved parties.
The former Prime Minister elaborated that Ruto’s inclusion of Uhuru’s allies in government was a move towards forming an all-inclusive administration. He noted that Ruto had similarly drawn members from the Jubilee party and ODM to broaden his government, which he clarified was not equivalent to a handshake.
Historical Context of Handshakes
Raila drew comparisons with his past agreements, highlighting the public nature of his accords with former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. In both instances, signed agreements were announced, formalizing their collaboration. He stressed that no such arrangement exists between him and President Ruto, debunking speculation of a handshake.
Denying any personal agreement with Ruto, Raila reaffirmed that no written document or negotiations had taken place. He dismissed the ongoing narrative as a misconception, reiterating that he has had no handshake with the current President.
Raila also addressed claims suggesting he benefited from the Gen Z-led anti-government protests, labeling these allegations as baseless and media-driven. He rejected suggestions of personal gain, terming the accusations as unfounded.
Broad-Based Government and Azimio Consultations
The former Prime Minister provided insight into Ruto’s call for a broad-based government, which led to the inclusion of members from the Azimio coalition. Raila explained that he consulted Azimio coalition partners on the matter, resulting in mixed responses.
While some members agreed, others declined, prompting ODM to second a few individuals based on their qualifications. He clarified that these appointments were not the outcome of coalition negotiations but were merit-based selections.
Raila emphasized that the appointed ODM members relinquished their party positions upon taking up government roles but remain loyal party members. He underscored that this was not akin to forming a pact or coalition government.
Dialogue and Deflation of Protests
Addressing the impact of Ruto’s cabinet reshuffle, Raila acknowledged that it had somewhat deflated the Gen Z protests. However, he insisted that more consultations are necessary to address the root causes of discontent.
Despite proposing a national dialogue, Raila revealed that the youthful protesters refused to participate in the discussions, leaving the matter unresolved.
Raila Odinga Condemns Abductions
The African Union Commission chairperson candidate Raila Odinga strongly criticized the ongoing abductions in the country, urging the government to halt these “primitive” acts. He stated that such behavior is unacceptable in the current era and warned against a return to the dark days of the past.
Raila emphasized that the country requires a safe and secure environment and condemned the practice of detaining individuals in undisclosed locations.
Raila urged the government to take responsibility and ensure the release of all abducted individuals. He noted the immense pain experienced by families and parents whose children have been taken by individuals reportedly linked to the police. He called for decisive action to resolve the issue within the year to restore public confidence in safety.
Details of Abduction Incidents
Muteti was reportedly seized by four men outside a kiosk in Uthiru on Saturday morning. Witness accounts suggest one of the abductors was in police uniform. Mwangi was allegedly abducted from a barber shop in Embu by four masked, armed men traveling in a double-cabin pick-up truck.
Both Mwangi and Muteti had allegedly posted offensive content about President William Ruto on their social media platforms. Kavuli’s abduction occurred in Ngong town, reportedly linked to his recent social media posts addressing the 2007 post-election violence.
The Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has launched investigations into the allegations of police involvement.
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Ipoa chairperson Issack Hassan confirmed that rapid response teams have been dispatched to Embu, Kajiado, and Nairobi to gather relevant information. The authority is committed to uncovering the circumstances of these incidents and determining any police involvement.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for the immediate release of the abductees. These incidents highlight growing concerns about human rights and accountability, with many urging swift government action to prevent further occurrences.
