After the 'handshake', referendum is inevitable – Kenyans react to Raila’s statement

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, May 8 updated his party on the issues he and President Uhuru Kenyatta discussed and agreed to handle.

Speaking during the ODM NEC meeting held yesterday, Raila recognized that his handshake with the President was hailed as a bold step towards addressing the nation’s problems but raised concerns that it has become a subject of political discourse and distortion by some politicians.

“That handshake has been hailed across the world and many of our citizens as a bold step towards addressing our problems once and for all and bequeathing a better country to our children. But it has also become the subject of much political discourse and distortion by sections of leaders. That handshake was not about 2022,” said Raila.

Raila then warned of 2022 being ‘messy’ if he and President Uhuru don’t do the things they set out in their MoU.

“The only thing that is special is that we have arrived at an agreement that we must do things differently going forward. We also have something special in the realization that if we don’t do the things we have set out in the MoU with President Uhuru Kenyatta, 2022 elections will amount to doing the same thing time and again and expecting different results. Without the changes we envisage in the MoU, 2022 will be messy,” he continued.

Kenyans took to social media to react to Raila’s speech and here’s what some had to say: 

History confirms that any referendum question answer supported by H E Raila Odinga and his team succeeds effortlessly. It happened in 2005 when the NO answer prevailed and 2010 when the YES answer carried the day.— Nelson Havi (@NelsonHavi) May 6, 2018

The correct position is, the Party is open to Amendments that shall ensure The Hand Shake is not undermined, since what Uhuru and Raila agreed on...may require such Amendments or even a Referendum, to make **** work!

— Systems Audit Office (@Systems21747) May 9, 2018

Be assured we're going to have a referendum and Mudavadi,Wetangula's will oppose it only to get even with Raila. Hell hath no fury like....................,?— Njoroge Mwangi Mutet (@Njoroge09935663) May 5, 2018

#StateOfTheNation:
Uhuru Kenyatta & Raila Odinga are running govt as partners.
DP William Ruto is now alone in succession politics.
We will have a Referendum in 2020.
In 2022, Raila - President & Uhuru - Prime Minister.

End of story!

— Yoyocial (@yoyocial) May 2, 2018

Talking about Muigai, Raila, Ruto and 2022 is not discussing politics. It's gossiping.

Discussing politics is discussing how to get the whole lot out of power and to get our country on its feet.— Dr Wandia (@wmnjoya) May 7, 2018

We need a completely new government in 2022. No Kenyatta, Raila or Ruto. Let's drain the swamp. Send everyone home and start afresh. #EnergyCartelsKE— Mithu Guigai (@Kamugenius) May 3, 2018