Surprise handshake between bitter rivals Uhuru & Odinga stirs up Kenyan politics

Scores of Kenyan’s are still yet to come to terms with a surprise handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga which has somewhat stirred up the political landscape in the country.

Some see the move as an end to the violence, bitterness and political instability that followed last year’s elections between the pair while others see it as plot as the long-time rivals set their sights on the 2022 elections.

“Everybody has had to go back to their drawing board and decide how they are going to run in 2022,” said Ngunjiri Wambugu, a lawmaker from Kenyatta’s Jubilee party said.

“This pact between Kenyatta and Odinga has redefined the race.”

However, a few observers believe the truce will resolve the deep-seated ethnic tensions as Kenyatta and Odinga have promised.

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“Unless there is substance put into the handshake, it’ll be a lost opportunity,” said Maina Kiai, human rights campaigner.

“Anger in the country has not been dealt with.”

Analysts also believe the truce is necessary especially with police killings of opposition supporters that marred both the August election and the re-run in October that took place after the Supreme Court annulled the initial poll which are still fresh in Kenyan minds.

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