Handshake: Another case of new beginning and another false dawn?

President Uhuru Kenyatta and African Union Envoy Raila Odinga at the burial of former chairman of Youth Enterprise Bruce Odhiambo at Koru in Kisumu county on January 19th 2019. (Collins Oduor, Standard)

A year ago tomorrow, President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga surprised foe and friend when they walked down the steps of Harambee House and stretched out their hands for the now famous handshake.

For more than five years, the two were sworn political enemies. First, Mr Odinga believed that President Kenyatta’s election in 2013 was undeserved. He had then petitioned the Supreme Court. That win was upheld under controversial circumstances- Mr Odinga’s evidence was disallowed, declared time-barred.Then came the August 2017 election and President Kenyatta again trounced Mr Odinga. But this time, the Supreme Court upheld Mr Odinga’s petition.