Activist John Githongo, a former close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta has revealed how the Head of State had no choice but to settle for the famous handshake.
In an op-ed published in the East African Review titled "Thieves, politics and the brutality of succession: The Kenyatta legacy" Githongo noted that despite Uhuru's commitment to the Big Four Agenda as the flagship of his legacy, the obstacles threatening to derail his agenda have been massive.
"I’m pretty confident that, if asked to name the four pillars of the Big Four Agenda, a vast majority of Kenyans would not be able to do so," Githongo opined.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta during Madaraka Celebration "]
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The former Permanent Secretary further noted how the handshake has set in motion political realignments that seem to grow in scale with each passing week.
"The cost of living and more importantly theft and plunder are the issues that have seized the public imagination.
"This is partly as a result of the fact that between 2013 and 2017 the Jubilee regime has emerged as the most scandal-prone and corrupt in Kenyan history," Githongo quipped.
Githongo notes that with dodgy projects and scams, Uhuru may have come to realize that the four pillars on affordable healthcare; affordable housing; food security and manufacturing may not materialize in a hostile environment.
Questioning the conspicuous absence of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) which is constitutionally charged with leading the charge against corruption including the recent arrests and prosecutions, Githongo noted that Uhuru may have altogether shifted his approach to building his legacy.
In his view, the President could be banking on two newly found agendas: uniting the nation and fighting corruption - both resting largely on the handshake.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta"]
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According to Githongo, faced with grand theft, plunder, and disunity that has characterized his regime thus far, Uhuru "may have embarked on a project that can only succeed through the catalyzation of a process to re-engineer Kenyan politics" - the handshake.
