Mudavadi Hints at Ruto & Raila Handshake After Revealing Special Assignment in Nyanza

Ruto
Azimio Leader Raila (Odinga) shakes hands with President William Ruto.
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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday, February 4, hinted at an imminent working relationship between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga. 

Speaking in Kakamega County, Musalia who also acts as the CS for Foreign Affairs remarked that he was sent on a special assignment to Bondo, Raila’s backyard, last week by the President. 

He told Kenya Kwanza supporters who had congregated at Approved School Grounds in Kakamega not to be surprised should the political landscape in Bondo shift 

“Last week I was in China meeting my counterpart in the Foreign Affairs docket. Immediately after landing in Kenya, I was given a special assignment to Bondo,” he explained. 

Musalia Mudavadi and Chinese Minister
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi holds talks with the Minister of Foreign affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi in China on Thursday January 25, 2024.
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Musalia Mudavadi

Additionally, Musalia remarked that were it not for international obligations, the Head of State would have gone to Bondo in Siaya County for a political charm offensive, which he claimed would have resulted in political realignments.

“The President was heading to Italy and he tasked me with representing him in Bondo. I told the people of Bondo to embrace Ruto’s government since they never know what will happen,” he explained. 

Musalia was accompanied by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka during his trip to Bondo. 

While in Bondo on January 28, Musalia told local residents to expect receiving good news from Kenya’s top political leadership. 

“Mark this date and the place where I have said this,” Musalia remarked then, noting that he would not delve into the issue. 

Ruto and Raila are yet to issue an official statement on whether Kenya Kwanza and Azimio would forge a working relationship. 

Despite the two leaders remaining non-committal, Azimio has opposed most of the government's policies and hinted at calling for protests this year.

In the meantime, the opposition and the government have been engaging in dialogue in regard to pertinent issues affecting the country. 

The recommendations made by the dialogue committee led by Azimio principal Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah will be discussed by Parliament starting February 2024. 

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and his NADCO co-chair Kimani Ichung'wah display the bipartisan talks recommedations.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and his NADCO co-chair Kimani Ichung'wah display the bipartisan talks recommendations.
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Kimani Ichung'wah