Ruto-Raila dalliance hints at political deal on the cards

President William Ruto, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba and Azimio leader Raila Odinga during Kip Keino Classic at Moi Sports Center Kasarani. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga's dalliance in the last 48 hours has left Kenyans with expectations that something is cooking between the two leaders.

Ruto and Raila shared a podium during the funeral of Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua County, later attended the finals of Kip Keino Classic at Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday and were on Sunday seen together during a match between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium.

The two leaders who were close allies during the 2007 elections and later fell out have never worked together ever since, and have been harsh critics of each other with their close allies digging at each at every opportunity.

The three public meetings in two days for the two leaders gives hint that the two leaders might be ready to bury the hatchet.

"Raila has said that he knows me very well and that after making some noise I will cool down, let me also state that I know him very well having worked closely with him in the past," said Ruto during the burial of Mukami Kimathi, the widow of Dedan Kimathi.

The former Prime Minister blamed the high cost of living on the current administration.

Raila said that his decision to lead his supporters to the streets was a democratic process employed in other nations in order to keep their governments in check and that at no time did he advocate violence.

"The freedom we are enjoying today is due to the sacrifice made by our freedom fighters who did not fear even getting killed as they pursued to have the colonialists leave this country, I will not fear anything as I champion for the rights of Kenyans every time I feel things are going wrong," said Raila.

The two leaders were later seen together at Kasarani and even went away to change their shirts a few minutes after being seen shaking hands and could be seen carrying out some discussion as they smiled while watching the athletics championship.

Ruto and Raila were at it again when they attended a soccer match dubbed the Mashemeji derby where like the previous day they shared pleasantries which has now left their allies guessing their next move.

Senate Minority Whip Ledama ole Kina welcomed the engagement but said that they should remember that the most important thing for Kenyans is the lowering of the high cost of living.

"Only William Ruto and Raila Odinga can tell Kenyans what they are up to, even as they engage they should be aware that the most important thing for Kenyans at the moment is the lowering of the high cost of living for Kenyans and nothing else," said Kina.

Nandi Samson Cherargei said People should not read too much from the two meetings between the president and Raila.

" The meeting between the two was just a coincidence that means not very much. The president is being civil in his interaction with the Azimio leader," said Cherargei.

Cherargei said no one should expect a handshake or a nusu mkate government because the country is still healing from the effects of the dalliance between the former President and Raila.

The Nandi senator said the president was keen on having a negotiation done through a parliamentary process and the bi-partisan talks by the legislature was the only way.

"The president has made it clear that any interaction with the opposition is through their role in checking the government, that is why he has asked parliament to consider the creation of the office of the official opposition leader," said Cherargei.

Kenyans will be watching how Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will react to the new arrangement after vowing that he will not allow a handshake to happen between his boss and their key rival in the August 2022 general election.

Constitutional lawyer and political analyst Clifford Otieno describe the meetings as a "planned coincidence".

"Top political leaders never attend events out of coincidence; they plan and employ intelligence, and what they say and the order of their speeches are well planned in advance," he said.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said the President was aware that to build cohesiveness in the country Raila was a serious factor.

"Raila has the support of nearly half of the country, as a president who is keen on taking the country in one direction, you cannot avoid talking to the ODM leader," said Osotsi.

Political analyst Mark Bichachi argues that it is normal for leaders to meet.

"Kenyans read too much when politicians meet."