Raila responds to Ruto allies claims that he's after handshake

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has responded to claims by a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders accusing him of looking for a handshake with President William Ruto.

Speaking on Thursday, Raila said the claims are unfounded, terming them an insult to Kenyans.

The former Prime Minister further stated that there is no way they will have a handshake with an illegitimate government.

"Kenya Kwanza has continued to claim that all we are looking for is a handshake. We emphatically refute these unfounded rumours that we are protesting to improve the lives of Kenyans because we want a handshake. This is an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans. We cannot and we will not participate in a handshake with an illegitimate regime," Raila said.

He went on to accuse Ruto of trying to take the country back to the dark days of past regimes.

Raila said the Azimio coalition would not allow that to happen.

"We in Azimio will not and cannot allow Ruto to take us to the dark days of yesterday."

The opposition still insists that he won the August 2022 presidential poll.

However, President Ruto also insists that there will be no handshake with the opposition and that any engagement will only happen through official channels, including Parliament.

Leaders allied to Ruto have been calling out Raila over his anti-government protests. 

They claim that Raila is just using the protests to arm-twist the head of state into a handshake.

UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala claimed that some of the Azimio people initiate handshake talks with the government at night. 

"What Azimio is doing is a way to seek a handshake with Ruto. Up to yesterday evening they were sending people to see if they can have a talk with our President," he said.

He said the opposition demos not only affect the people in Nairobi but also various sectors that bring finances to the country.