Raila's handshakes and why he is likely to ditch President in the end

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga after signing a political agreement at KICC, Nairobi, on March 7, 2025. [File, Standard]

Various countries have unique political operators who wield influence despite defying common sense. In Kenya, Raila Amolo Odinga has a spell over his followers and other political leaders. He losses elections and still manages to convince the 'winners' that they desperately need him. He is Kenya's "Handshake Man" and the latest victim of his mesmerising powers is President William Ruto.

Raila enticed four presidents to cave in to his political desires by making governance so difficult that each conceded powers. First was Daniel arap Moi whose dalliance with Raila could probably be traced to the 1982 failed coup. Although Moi and his team knew about the plot, they hesitated to stop it. The attempted coup led to strange political behaviours that allowed Moi to purge particular prima donnas, especially Charles Njonjo.