Defense Cabinet Secretary has responded to DP William Ruto’s Saturday remarks during Mwai Kibaki’s funeral in Othaya, that after the next elections there will be no need for a handshake among the top two contenders, in an attempt to trash President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga’s 2018 truce.
Speaking on Sunday in Webuye East constituency, CS Wamalwa said the presidential election will be won by Raila Odinga and DP Ruto will be seeking a handshake with the Azimio leader once he assumes office as President.
”I was disappointed to see Mr. Ruto dismiss the handshake in Kibaki’s funeral before his boss Uhuru. That was uncalled off since most Kenyans know that previous handshakes have often brought peace in the country.
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As a way of honouring the late President Mwai Kibaki, Mr. Ruto in the event that he loses to Mr. Odinga in this coming polls, which I have no doubt he will, should accept defeat and reach out to Mr. Odinga for a handshake and embrace unity for the sake of the country’s peace and stability,” the Defense CS said at the St Kizito Magemo Catholic Church in Ndivisi ward.
The CS also recalled the 2007/08 crisis saying Kenya would not have moved forward were it not for the Handshake between Kibaki and Raila. CS Wamalwa also noted that the country’s top two presidential contenders should be ready to work with each other post-August polls, regardless of who wins.
“Many people lost lives, property worth millions of shillings was destroyed while businesses went down. Kenya was on the verge of collapsing before the handshake saved the country. I am appealing to the two presidential candidates that whoever will lose should be prepared to work with the other in a handshake deal,” he said.
