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Azimio leader Raila Odinga at the Kamukunji grounds, Jan 23, 2023. / COURTESY

Kenya

I do not want anything to do with a handshake – Raila

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 23 – Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga says he is not interested in any form of handshake with President William Ruto.

Speaking during a tally at the Kamukunji grounds after he jetted into the country from South Africa, Odinga indicated that he would not want any cooperation with what he terms as an ‘Illegitimate Presidency.’

“They are saying that we love demonstrations and that we want a handshake am saying here today, I don’t want anything to do with a handshake,” he said.

Odinga’s statement followed claims by Kenya Kwanza fraternity that the calls for public rallies were meant to force Odinga to hold talks with President Ruto, a notion that he rejected.

President Ruto also hit back at Odinga after the latter termed his presidency “illegitimate” demanding for an independent audit to expose what he described as an electoral fraud.

Ruto who spoke in Gatundu where he attended the funeral of Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria’s sister Pauline, termed Odinga’s fresh demands as a ploy to blackmail him into handshake talks.

“Don’t tell us that you dont want a handshake. We are seeing you and we know you very well,” the head of state indicated.

The President further cautioned Odinga against engineering chaos though regular mass gatherings saying State organs will counter any attempt to make the county ungovernable and disrupt his administration’s economic transformation agenda.

“My friends, isn’t it time you change tactics?” he posed. “There’s no way you will outwit me. Forget about matters handshake.”

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Ruto dismissed Odinga’s claim that his presidency is illegitimate as baseless.

“Look for someone else to intimidate. I was elected by the people in broad daylight and you lost with the so-called deep state on you side.”

Ruto said he will not please a clique of a few individuals at the expense of overarching national interests.

“All these demos are not in the interest of mwananchi. Government will not be blackmailed to serve the interests of a few people. We will serve the citizens regardless of political affiliations,” he asserted.

The Head of State cautioned Odinga against engineering chaos though regular mass gatherings saying State organs will counter any attempt to make the county ungovernable and disrupt his administration’s economic transformation agenda.

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