Opinion; Ruto-Raila handshake will happen

 

Ruto, Raila exchange pleasantries at Uhuru Gardens Nairobi (courtesy)

Enmity in politics! That's just non existent. That a handshake between the two political adversaries is in the offing is something that can be seen from a far. It is just a matter of when it is going to happen.

When Ruto and Uhuru teamed up back in 2012 for a series of prayer rallies across the country, no one would have thought that the two would team up to take the reins of power from then president Mwai Kibaki (RIP).

The country was just healing from one of its worse post election violence ever experienced. The two leaders were facing a series of cases at the international criminal court ICC. That did not stop them from working together.

Ruto and Raila are politicians cut from the same piece of clothing. Both of them have worked their way up into the political throne. One has served as a deputy president while the other has served as a prime minister. 

In the 2007 polls, the two formed the pentagon and gave Kibaki a run for his money. They ran a powerful campaign that almost dethroned the late president from his seat.

Both of them are never afraid of facing their own challenges and at the moment they seem to be down is when they regroup and emerge even stronger.

If the political landscape in the country has taught us something, then its that politicians never hold grudges against each other. 

The handshake between president Kenyatta and Raila Odinga is ine such example. At the height of political intolerance in the country, the two leaders surprised Kenyans by coming out together and vowing to work together towards a united Kenya.

The August 9 polls are expected to be quite competitive. Currently, it is hard for anyone to pinpoint a front runner. The two have trained their arsenal ready for the top most prize. THE PRESIDENCY.

If either of the two leaders win without a clear majority in parliament, then it would mean that for smooth passage of the government's agenda, they would ultimately have to work together.

Only time will tell!