Raila, Uhuru feted in event to mark one year since historic handshake deal

President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were feted for their efforts to unite the country through the handshake deal a year after the historic event that marked the end of a politically charged electioneering period.

Odinga who was the Chief Guest at the event to mark one year since the historic handshake at Nairobi’s Serena hotel was presented with a gift of “The Ten Fingers Poem” depicting the famous handshake.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was also given a similar present which was handed over to Raila Odinga to pass on to the head of state.

During the event, the NASA boss recounted how the desire to achieve the dream of a united and prosperous Kenya envisioned by founding fathers saw them put aside their political differences.

He also revealed that he started off his day with a phone call from President Uhuru Kenyatta in which they exchanged pleasantries remembering the surprising turn of events exactly a year ago that caught the country by surprise.

DP William Ruto and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka embrace during their version of the peace handshake Pulse Live Kenya

Organizers of the event sent Odinga with a special message to President Uhuru Kenyatta, requesting for a meeting with the head of state to update him on the progress made and where the team intends to go.

The event was graced by a host of political leaders including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka among others.

Ruto accuses Raila of using handshake to wreck Jubilee

While the handshake deal left a more united country, it has come under attack in recent days especially from a section of DP Ruto's allies.

On 30 September 2018, DP Ruto lashed out at opposition leader Raila Odinga accusing him of having a plan to wreck the Jubilee party.

Ruto who was addressing the public in Kisauni claimed Mr. Odinga was taking advantage of the unity deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta to further his personal political agenda.

“The handshake is not a license so that you can bring confusion, propaganda and conman-ship into our party,”said Ruto in a veiled attack at the ODM Party leader.

“We will not entertain propaganda in the government. They joined us so that we can transform Kenya but if their intention is to break the Jubilee Party or the government, we are telling them ‘we are watching you.” Ruto warned.

File image of DP William Ruto addressing the public at a past political rally Pulse Live Kenya

Several MPs allied to the DP have accused Odinga of harbouring secret plots to wreck Jubilee and destroy it from within using the handshake deal.

The bromance between the two leaders has also sparked anxiety amongst DP Ruto’s support base amidst growing concern that Uhuru may fail to endorse DP Ruto’s 2022 bid.