Ruto's handshake, power struggles and broken ties

President William Ruto and Raila Odinga at State House, Nairobi, where he was officially unveiled as Kenya’s candidate for African Union Commission Chairperson on August 27, 2024. [PCS]

Before his swearing-in and in the early months of his presidency, President William Ruto openly rejected the idea of "handshake" politics, firmly stating that he had no interest in forming alliances with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, or opposition leader Raila Odinga. He declared, “I do not believe in handshake stories... I believe in an accountable government, held to account by the opposition.”

Fast forward to 2024, and Ruto’s words now feel like distant echoes, drowned out by the reality of his actions.

Adding to the shift, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—whom Ruto once vowed to protect—was impeached months ago, marking a significant break from the promises of loyalty and shielded alliances Ruto once proclaimed.

It’s a familiar tale in politics that promises are made, but the rules are rewritten as power reshapes priorities. Alliances shift, as fluid as the winds of opportunity.

So, how did we get here?

The Ruto-Raila "handshake"
After weeks of nationwide protests led by Gen Z demanding better governance, President Ruto dissolved his first Cabinet, bowing to public pressure.

In a bid to stabilize the country, the President extended an olive branch to ODM leaders, bringing them into government to form what he termed a broad-based government. This move, seen by many as a strategic pivot, mirrored the very "handshake politics" he once vehemently opposed.

However, according to Odinga, ODM remains an independent opposition entity with no formal agreement with the government.

"ODM remains an independent entity," said Odinga.

Critics, however, were quick to point out the irony. What had once been a Ruto-led crusade against political coalitions now appeared to be a shared government—and, by extension, shared blame.

As public dissatisfaction simmered, Kenyans accused ODM leaders of betraying their mandate, with netizens boldly claiming to now be the official opposition.

Gachagua’s Ouster
Despite the union, the heat did not stop. What had once been external pressure gradually shifted inward, finding its way among leaders within the Kenya Kwanza camp. The unity Ruto once sought now appeared fragile, with internal divisions growing by the day.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, once seen as a steadfast ally of Ruto, found himself increasingly sidelined as tensions within the coalition escalated.

Despite his public urging for Ruto to keep his word and allow him to finish his five-year term, Gachagua’s eventual impeachment seemed inevitable, especially with the newly formed unity between the majority and minority in the House.

With Gachagua out, Ruto seemed to have 'won.'

During the swearing-in of his new deputy, Kithure Kindiki, the President remarked that he now hoped to receive the support he lacked from his former deputy.

However, the noise was far from over.

Every weekend after his impeachment, Gachagua had meetings to attend—church services in his backyard, another meeting in Limuru, and many more, with tales of Ruto's betrayal taking center stage.

UhuRuto
To silence the noise and shield himself from growing nationwide discontent, Ruto extended the same olive branch offered to Odinga to Uhuru Kenyatta.

The surprise meeting between the two came at a time when Ruto’s government is facing intense scrutiny over public sector service delivery and alleged human rights violations, including widespread abductions.

“The leaders appreciated the need to achieve a broader and more inclusive political consensus in the governance of our country to accelerate inclusive growth and fulfill the national development agenda,” a statement from State House read.

A separate statement from the former Head of State stated: "Top among these issues are transparency and accountability."

Days after the meeting, allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta made a comeback into the government as Cabinet Secretaries in a mini-shuffle, which saw Ruto fire two of his Cabinet Secretaries.

It is now clear, alliances are born from necessity.

However for Ruto, who's now shielding himself from public backlash, by bringing back the very figures he once distanced himself from, the true test will be whether his promises of a united government hold any weight in the face of mounting dissent.