Ruto Rejects Raila's Call for a Handshake After August 9th Elections

Deputy President William Ruto has responded to Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s pledge to have a handshake with his opponents after the August 9th general elections.

Speaking during his final campaign rally at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday, Odinga assured Kenyans that he will continue with the handshake doctrine for the sake of Kenya whether he wins or loses the upcoming election.

“I shook the hand of Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi in March 2002, of President Kibaki in February 2008 and of my brother President Uhuru Kenyatta in March 2018. I want to assure Kenyans that I will continue with this HANDSHAKE DOCTRINE, the doctrine of unclenching the fist. For the sake of Kenya,” said Raila.

“For the sake of Kenya, I will shake the hand of my rivals and pay the political price if I have to. I will shake their hand if I win. And I will shake their hand if I don’t. And I will do it because I love Kenya more than I love Raila Amolo Odinga.”

In a rejoinder, Ruto said he is ready to hold talks with Odinga after the elections but only to discuss the role he will play as he serves in the opposition.

Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency on a UDA party ticket, maintained that he will not entertain the kind of handshake Odinga had with President Kenyatta in 2018.

"My brother, I am ready to have a cup of tea with you after the August elections and agree on the role you will play. But I am not ready for the kind of arrangement you had with Uhuru five years ago that disrupted our government," Ruto said at Nyayo Stadium where he held his last rally.

“I want to commit that I love this country so much that I will not participate in something that undermines the constitution of Kenya. I will not participate in anything that brings confusion between separation of power and accountability of the government.”