Friends, bitter rivals, then friends again: Political shocker as Ruto, Raila unleash ‘handshake’

In what is turning out to be a shock union between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, the once bitter rivals-turned-allies have seemingly unleashed a ‘handshake’ card, in an unprecedented deal presided over by Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni.

Hours later, the Head of State toured Raila's political bedrock in Homa Bay, where he presided over the second Homa Bay County International Investment Conference, a move seen as cementing and extending his cooperation with the opposition leader.

Even though the President did not directly mention or reveal details of his meeting with the Raila in Uganda, Ruto termed his newfound alliance with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader a ‘win-win’ outcome for both the government and opposition.

“There is space for all of us in Kenya, we do not win by making others lose. We want a win-win situation in Kenya, so that those in opposition do not feel like they lost and are inferior,” said the Head of State.

The President stated that he is on a mission to fulfill his post-election pledge of uniting Kenyans through inclusivity, regardless of political affiliation.

“There are no Kenyans who are in the opposition and those who are in government. It is only the leaders who have a role to play, we all belong to one country,” he said.

As President Ruto toured Raila's backyard in Nyanza, the Azimio chief held a meeting with Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa at his Capitol Hill office in Nairobi, to deliberate on a working formula to achieving the two-thirds gender principle.

“Tunataka hiyo sheria ibadilishwe ili wanawake wawe wanachaguliwa through proportional representation ili wawe sawa na wanaume,” said Raila after the meeting.

The shock union between President Ruto and Raila comes on the backdrop of the opposition leader’s declaration for the Africa Union Commission Chairmanship, a move backed by the ruling coalition Kenya Kwanza.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang said: “We want to thank you, President, for pledging to support Raila's AU Commission Chair bid.”

With the once bitter rivals-turned-allies seemingly unleashing an unprecedented handshake card, will this newfound alliance signify yet another political shocker?