President Uhuru Kenyatta and special AU envoy Raila Odinga have canceled a planned Mt Kenya tour over political wrangles, sources say.
Why Uhuru and Raila have canceled April Mt Kenya tour
Change of plans
President Uhuru Kenyatta with former PM Raila Odinga at the anti-corruption forum at Bomas of Kenya (Twitter)
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The handshake partners were set to carry out visits in the region between April and May but have allegedly postponed the tour to June.
Sources within the circles argue that brewing rebellion among Mt Kenya politicians has derailed the historic tour.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga and former sports CS Rashid Echesa
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One of Mr Odinga's allies in the region Kamau Mweha told Nation that the two had planned to popularize the Building Bridges Initiative in the region during the tour.
According to the report, leaders who have expressed disapproval for the handshake have not been informed on the two leaders' plans while those who still side with the President have been informed of the tour and are awaiting final confirmations and schedules.
The dividing Handshake
Factions in the Central Kenya region emerged after a group of politicians who contested in the region and failed to get seats in the 2017 General Election came out in support of the March 9, 2018 truce.
Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando led the charge with claims that there is a section of leaders in the region who are working against the Building Bridges initiative.
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"With the handshake, the 'insult Raila business venture' has collapsed in Central Kenya.
Former Mukurweini MP Kabando Wa Kabando (Twitter)
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"Political leaders desperate for relevance are now left with only the option of fighting these who are pro-Handshake.
"We have chosen to be with Uhuru all the way and to accept his deal with Raila for our motherland to re-unite and prosper," he stated after a meeting with Mr Odinga last year.
A number of elected leaders within the region have expressed concerns that the handshake deal will divide the region ahead of the 2022 elections.
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"Mr Odinga is now trying to create mischief in Jubilee because we have elected leaders in Mount Kenya who should talk on behalf of the people," Mathira MP Nderitu Gachagua previously stated.
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