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Why you should not take new handshake with a lot of seriousness

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga after signing political agreement at KICC, Nairobi, on March 7, 2025. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

The usually busy and intrigue-packed Kenyan political space got even last Friday. After a lengthy period of vacillation, Raila Odinga finally cast his lots with President William Ruto. He was spoilt for choice, with the two emerging political formations fighting for his attention, support and alignment. Friday put matters to rest, at least for now; courtesy of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the leaders of the country’s two largest parties.

The MoU identified a number of things that the two formations profiled as deserving attention. They include, corruption; youth unemployment; protection and strengthening of devolution; and respect for the rule of law. A collaborative framework between the two formations is prescribed as a potent remedial intervention. With the two hitherto opponents with immense following closing ranks, it would be highly tempting to believe the justification behind the rapprochement. Our history serves as a reality check however. It injects a dose of scepticism and pessimism to any potential excitement.

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