Kenya Kwanza MPs Warn William Ruto Against Handshake With Raila Odinga: "Ukigawa Mamlaka Utajipanga"

• Kenya Kwanza MPs warned President William Ruto against shaking hands with Raila Odinga
• They said it would undermine Kenya Kwanza manifesto, and Raila is only interested in a handshake for selfish gains
• The lawmakers said the people of Kenya want the government to focus on delivering on its promises

Nairobi - A group of Kenya Kwanza MPs have warned President William Ruto against shaking hands with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga.

The lawmakers, allied to President Ruto, announced in Nandi County, where they warned the Executive arm against engaging in power-sharing to resolve the country's anti-government protests.

Kenya Kwanza MPs: Do not engage in a dialogue

According to a report filed by Citizen TV, the MPs, led by Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba, Sabatia MP Clement Sloya, and Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto, called on the president not to engage in any dialogue with Raila Odinga.

They said there was no need for a handshake between the two leaders, claiming it would undermine the implementation of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.

"We are warning President Ruto against shaking hands with Raila Odinga. If he does, he will be betraying the people of Kenya who voted for him," said Kipchumba.

"Raila Odinga is only interested in a handshake for his selfish gains. He is not interested in the welfare of the people of Kenya," said Sloya.

"We are calling on President Ruto to stay focused on his agenda for the people of Kenya. Raila Odinga's handshake antics should not distract him," said Wandeto.

Timothy Toroitich: Why the handshake is illegal

In a lengthy conversation with TUKO.co.ke, Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba Toroitich opined that a post-election deal like sharing of government is an illegality in its entirety.

"The election cycle, just like litigation, must come to an end. Kenyans voted, and Ruto was declared the winner. Supreme Court pronounced itself on Ruto's Win. Entering into any form of handshake will amount to appealing the supreme court decision through the back door—undermining our judicial system's authority," he explained.

He continued to say Raila has never formally recognised Ruto as president. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. By refusing to recognise Ruto as a legitimately elected president and at the same time wanting to enter into negotiations, Raila is approaching equity with unclean hands. How does Raila want to negotiate with an illegitimate president?

According to Kipchumba, there is no conflict in Kenya's governance system to warrant any form of negotiations. Kenya has a fully functional system of government. There is no leadership vacuum in Kenya. As Kenya Kwanza, we wonder what issues the two leaders will talk about that currently can not be addressed by the existing structures such as Parliament and Judiciary.

A mongrel of a government

In his view, a handshake weakens oversight structures. The opposition will merge with the government by getting into a handshake akin to Raila - Uhuru handshake, thus compromising checks and balance systems. This will exasperate corruption levels, increasing the cost of doing business.

A handshake will promote impunity. Raila has mastered the art of using violence to get into power. He causes anarchy and uses that as a tool for negotiating power. That culture must be put to a stop. Raila should not be allowed to benefit from his own illegalities.

Post-election victory negotiations are not provided for in law. The Constitution of Kenya does not provide for any form of post-election power-sharing. No law has been enacted to provide for the role and place of presidential Election losers. Engaging in any negotiations with a view of having a handshake would amount to an illegality. I hold the view that any form of post-election negotiations, including handshake, are unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful thus null and void.

It is about Raila Odinga, not cost of living

The MPs' warning came as the country faced a wave of anti-government protests questioning Ruto's legitimacy and runaway cost of living.

Several issues have sparked the protests, including the high cost of living and the government's handling of the economy.

The MPs said that a handshake between President Ruto and Raila Odinga would only legitimise the protests and give Raila Odinga a platform to further his political agenda.

"We are calling on the people of Kenya to reject any form of power-sharing between President Ruto and Raila Odinga. We want the government to focus on delivering its promises to the people," said Kipchumba.

The MPs' warning signified the growing rift between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalition as the leaders settled on a committee to address issues.

William Ruto extends the olive branch?

Their warning came days after the head of state offered to meet the former prime minister for talks.

In a tweet sent on Tuesday, July 25 evening, Ruto expressed his willingness to engage the longstanding opposition leader in face-to-face talks at the latter's convenience.

The president stated the engagement would happen upon his return from Tanzania, where he is on an official visit.