President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga have reportedly been forced to postpone their Building Bridges Initiative popularization tour in Mount Kenya.
The Nation reported that a simmering disquiet in Jubilee party among a section of Central Kenya leaders allied to the Deputy President William Ruto could have forced the duo to defer their visit from April and May to June.
According to James Kamau, a political analyst, the two leaders could be buying time for the rebellion to cool down.
“We have been witnessing leaders from Mr Ruto’s faction from Mt Kenya’s region, which is the political bedrock of Mr Kenyatta, accuse the President of neglecting the region while they accuse Mr Odinga of hatching a plot to divide the ruling party, a move that could have informed them to postpone the meeting,” Kamau commented.
Ruto has in the recent past made numerous visits to the region, cementing ties with some key leaders in the process.
Furthermore, his allies have cast doubts on the handshake, accusing the ODM leader of hatching a plot to divide Jubilee.
Kigumo Constituency politician Kamau Mweha, a close ally of Odinga told the Nation that the visit was meant to help residents understand the objectives of the handshake and correct misconceptions.
Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi also confirmed the reports stating that two leaders would definitely visit the region.
“We are yet to know the date, but the meeting is there. It is aimed at popularising the handshake and uniting the nation as the President promised after greeting Mr Odinga,” he remarked.
