Jubilee MPs Question Raila's Commitment to Handshake with President Uhuru

A section of Jubilee politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto has raised questions over the handshake between President Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The Members of Parliament from the ruling party now claim that Odinga and his team are using the handshake to advance his 2022 political agenda, instead of preaching national reconciliation.

Led by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, the leaders wondered why Odinga, who entered into a unity deal with President Kenyatta, is involving himself in political activities instead of preaching unity.

“The handshake is being used for a political agenda,” said Murkomen, who spoke at Moi Kapsowar Girls’ High School in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, during an inter-denominational prayer service attended by Deputy President William Ruto.

 “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. Mr Odinga is telling us that the recent handshake is for the unity of this country, while in political rallies he is talking about 2022 politics. This means he is not sincere on this matter.”

Speaking at the same function, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, however, stated that they are ready to go head-to-head with Raila in 2022 presidential race.

“We are ready and prepared to face Mr Odinga in 2022,” said Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.

 “Now that Mr Orengo has told us that their candidate will be on the ballot in 2022, we now know that the ongoing handshakes are about the future of Mr Odinga.”

On his part, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot dismissed Odinga and Orange Democratic Movement's call for amendments to the Constitution to alter the country's leadership structure.

 “We will only allow amendments if they are for the benefit of the people, but not the ones aimed at helping a few to get to power,” said Mr Cheruiyot.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Senator Samson Cherargey said they were aware of a plot by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Odinga to scuttle Ruto's 2022 State House ambitions.

“We have rejected Gideon because he is a non-performer, and not because he is the son of former President Daniel Moi,” said Governor Sang in a separate event in Nandi County.

However, Ruto steered clear of the debate and urged leaders to focus on unity and development.

On Sunday, Raila in a statement sent to newsrooms by his spokesman Dennis Onyango, stated that he is not  interested in 2022 politics as his focus was on the unity initiative with President Uhuru.