Since the now famous March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, there has been visible tension between the duo and Kenyatta's deputy William Ruto.
This has left the president fewer options than to repeatedly come to the defence of his handshake partner from the DP and his allies.
1. Chatham House
On Tuesday, April 16, during an address at the Chatham House in London, Kenyatta defended his handshake with the ODM leader saying arguments by those opposing it have no basis.
When addressing the question of the political implication of his unity pact with Odinga, Kenyatta said that the need to unite Kenyans was most paramount.
"We are not going to be able to do this shouting at one another, we need to bring Kenyans together and say if we agree on these issues, despite the fact that we may differ on other political agenda, on these ones we can come together and bring our people together and achieve it," he said.
2. State of the Nation Address
On April 4, 2019, Kenyatta described sentiments by his deputy Ruto and his allies that the opposition leader was out to destroy the ruling Jubilee Party as petty and selfish.
In a rare thumps up to Odinga, Kenyatta praised his alliance with him during the State of the Nation address.
Kenyatta stated that it was strange that some individuals insist the ODM leader wants to ruin Jubilee.
“Oooh, Raila anavunja (Raila is breaking up) Jubilee; which Jubilee have we talked about? Oooh, Uhuru anaingilia mambo ya ODM (Uhuru is interfering in ODM matters); I have no clue even who ODM is,” stated President Kenyatta.
3. Corruption
Kenyatta on Friday March 29, 2019, told off Jubilee politicians who are against the truce between him and the ODM leader.
Without naming names, the president seemed to be directing his remarks at the Deputy President and his allies. Ruto had been accusing the ODM leader of using the war against corruption to destroy Jubilee.
“When we say we want to be committed to bringing Kenyans together this is not a political agenda. There is no political intention of hurting this person or fighting this person,” the President revealed.
The sustained attacks by Ruto against Odinga followed the ODM leader's remarks that Ruto should allow DCI George Kinoti to complete his investigations instead of claiming that only Ksh7 billion was in dispute in connection with the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal in Elgeyo Marakwet.
4. End of 2018 Presidential interview at State House Mombasa
During his end of 2018 interview President Kenyatta spoke fondly of his alliance with Odinga while hardly giving DP Ruto as much as a mention.
“I have engaged Odinga for most of this year (2018). I believe I have a partner who believes in the cause. Ours is a long-term agenda to ensure that we develop a society that is politically inclusive and that we get a way of doing politics without dividing the country along ethnic lines,” he stated, while declaring that he was not ready to discuss the 2022 election politics.
5. Matiba Burial
On April 25, 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta slammed those opposed to the “handshake” between him and opposition leader Raila Odinga saying they were against national unity.
Addressing mourners at the funeral service of the late Kenneth Matiba at Ihura Stadium in Murang’a County, President Kenyatta stated that he was well aware of the murmurs of discomfort in the unity pact with the ODM leader from both their camps.
