National Assembly leader of the majority, Kimani Ichung’wah, on Thursday, March 9, reiterated that the government will not bow to pressure and allow a handshake between opposition leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
Ichung’wa, while addressing the National Assembly, responded to Raila's call for countrywide mass action, which he claimed was meant to drive Ruto out of State House.
The Kikuyu Legislator further alleged that Raila and his Azimio La Umoja colleagues were after sharing power with the Kenya Kwanza government.
"There will be no handshake, and you can take that to the bank because we know what handshake did to this country," Ichung’wa noted.
Ichung'wah also argued that Raila's planned protests were part of a premeditated plot to usher him into the government.
He trolled Raila for not changing his strategies since the controversial 2007 General Election, marred with post-election violence.
Handshake Brothers
On the same day, the country quietly commemorated the anniversary of the handshake between President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. Uhuru and Raila shook hands on Thursday, March 9,
On the same day, five years later, Raila announced mass action against Ruto's government. Ichung'wah, while reflecting on the handshake, argued that it derailed the government's agenda.
"You can protest for as much as you want, and as long as you want but there will be no handshake between Raila and Ruto," Ichung'wah declared, but also supported plans to amend the Constitution and create the office of the official opposition leader.
"It is a position that will strengthen and deepen our democracy and create greater accountability in government as you push for accountability to the people of Kenya,” Ichung’wah divulged.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga directed his followers to converge in Nairobi on Monday, March 20, to demonstrate against the government.
"We now declare the beginning of mass action and announce that Ruto must go," Raila Odinga affirmed.
