Push by foreign powers for Ruto-Raila handshake
Ruto-Raila handshake could be the offing according to Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni who revealed the push for the initiative
Ruto-Raila handshake could be the offing according to Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni who revealed the push for the initiative.
Jeremiah Kioni, the secretary general of Jubilee, claimed that certain Western nations had started negotiations in an effort to persuade opposition groups, united under the banner of the Azimio la Umoja alliance, to ease political pressure and take a more measured approach.
In 2013, while he was Musalia Mudavadi’s running mate for president, Kioni said that foreign influences in the nation always attempted to bring political parties together following each election cycle.
“After every election, you will see the Western nations through the embassies trying to talk to all parties that took part in the election, it happened when I was with Musalia and it has now happened, all those embassies will always be asking parties to work together,” Kioni stated while speaking to KTN News.
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Days prior to Kioni’s statement, Raila Odinga met with United Kingdom ambassador to Kenya Jane Marriot with a delegation of Azimio faction leaders.
In a statement released following the meeting, Marriot stated that the discussion focused on the significance of a strong opposition and national development initiatives.
According to Odinga, the discussion touched on potential areas of cooperation between his group and the UK government.
“We discussed the situation in the country, and potential areas of collaboration, and agreed to consult on a regular basis to discuss matters of national and mutual interest,” he stated.
President William Ruto reaffirmed during a media roundtable with regional media outlets that he did not intend to have handshake with opponents in order to strengthen the potential to advance democracy.
This was in contrast to earlier reports that the government intended to amicably engage the opposition through the proposed establishment of an Office of the Official Leader of Opposition.
Ruto clarified his support for the Office of the Official Opposition’s reinstatement while pointing out that the position was not intended for an individual as some had previously believed.
He claimed that the position had been in his plans for a long time even before ascending to the presidency.
Also read,
Raila allied leaders warm up to President Ruto
Mudavadi calls out Azimio over IEBC whistleblower evidence terming it “hot air”
Martha Karua takes President Ruto head-on over IEBC controversy
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