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Raila: I did not betray anyone with Ruto handshake
ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
What you need to know:
- Mr Odinga said the political handshake is only meant to give him and his supporters a political direction.
- The political deal between President Ruto and Mr Odinga has divided the ODM party into two factions.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has reiterated that his handshake with President William Ruto, which culminated in the broad-based government, was never a betrayal to anybody or any group within the Republic of Kenya.
Mr Odinga, who was addressing mourners at the burial ceremony of the late veteran journalist Edward Kwach in Ugunja in Siaya, said nobody should complain.
His sentiments came in response to criticism that Mr Odinga had betrayed the Gen Zs by siding with Dr Ruto at a time when the president was cornered.
The Orange party, which has the second-largest number of lawmakers in the National Assembly, has also been facing turbulent times, with two factions opposing and supporting the political truce with Kenya Kwanza.
"People are complaining about my handshake with President Ruto. Handshakes are not bad. I have never had a handshake that betrayed my people,” said the ODM boss.
Mr Odinga also noted that the political handshake is only meant to give him and his supporters a political direction.
“When you see clouds gathering in the sky, just know that I am looking for a political direction which is good for the people. When you see whirlwinds, be prepared that the rains are nigh, because I know where I want us to head,” said Mr Odinga.
While reflecting on the 2022 General Election, which he lost to President Ruto, Mr Odinga noted that some mishaps occurred.
“We had gotten direction, however, it happened that way. The Swahili say those are bygones, and we must focus ahead — and we have a plan,” he noted.
“The current events taking place in the political arena should not worry you. We know where we are coming from, where we are, and where we are headed. Like in a football match, we have some footwork on the pitch, but we are aware of the direction to score,” he went on.
The ODM party has become an arena of political antagonism, with one faction, led by party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo, opposed to the political arrangement while the other supporting the truce with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Mr Sifuna has on many occasions downplayed the broad-based government, saying nothing like that exists.
"Baba (Raila) said that even after the party donated experts to serve in the government, ODM is not in government," Sifuna said on Friday during the burial ceremony of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, during a recent function in Ugunja, lashed out at Orengo, telling him to focus on service delivery and avoid activism.
“The governor must focus on service delivery and cease being an activist when he has been given the mandate to serve the people in the office of the governor,” said Mr Wandayi.
“Siaya County is an embarrassment to the entire nation. We should be serious and work for the people and stop sideshows,” he added.