Ichung'wah: Ruto has not met or spoken to Raila

"I can confirm to you that there is no handshake."

Politics

• The Kikuyu MP maintained that during the talks, they were only going to look at the interests of Kenyans above all else. 

• "We are looking at a bipartisan approach above partisan approach that could be leaning towards one side or other and it has absolutely nothing to do with a handshake," Ichung'wah reiterated.

Kimani Ichung'wa.
Image: The-Star

National assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah has said President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga are yet to meet.

He affirmed that nothing was touching on a handshake deal in the current truce.

Ichung'wah explained that the bi-partisan approach focuses on the interests of the country, above the partisan issues.

He spoke to the media on Monday. 

"I can confirm the President has not even met with Raila Odinga, he has not even spoken with him leave alone handshake," he said.

The Kikuyu MP maintained that during the talks, they were only going to look at the interests of Kenyans above all else. 

"We are looking at a bipartisan approach above partisan approach that could be leaning towards one side or other and it has absolutely nothing to do with a handshake," Ichung'wah reiterated.

"I can confirm to you that there is no handshake."

Addressing the nation on Sunday, President Ruto urged Raila to call off the demonstrations to give room for talks.

"I urge Raila and the opposition to call off the demonstration and give bi- partisan approach for us to take Kenya forward," he said. 

Ruto however maintained that the talks must be based on sincere deliberations anchored on the rule of law.

"Our position is that we want to engage our brothers and sisters on the other side on issues that are important to Kenyans, them as an opposition, us as a government."

Welcoming the call, Raila said the process should start "as early as tomorrow" (Monday).

"We are ready to engage and we will engage without any form of corruption and this process should start as early as tomorrow," he said on Sunday.

The move by both leaders has been commended by the SUPKEM, US, IGAD, political leaders and Kenyans at large.

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