We can imagine but no one has a clear picture of what the country would be like today had we not had the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2018.
What most analysts and observers agree is that the picture would not be pretty. In fact, we might not even have a country to speak of.
That is why the historic handshake was and remains a powerful tool to move the country away from conflicts, violence, and anarchy, and towards the pursuit and realisation of peace and prosperity.
While the handshake’s offspring, the BBI, remains in a coma as the Supreme Court mulls what to do about it, those who bore it were on a path towards a desired end.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga billed the December 10 Azimio la Umoja conference as a final demonstration of a united Kenya ahead of the 2022 General Election.
The ODM leader said his unity deal with Uhuru would become clearer during the final lap of the regional consultative meetings in Nairobi.
One needs not wait for its happening or the end of it to know what it means going forward. We can surmise as follows:
First, there are those who have either been salivating that Uhuru betrays Raila and walks away from the handshake and those who have been hopeful that he does the right thing and remains faithful.
While anything is possible in politics, it is impossible to imagine under what circumstances would the President abandon Raila and the handshake.
Many have been asking Uhuru to be unequivocal in his outright rejection of Deputy President William Ruto as his successor and totally embrace Raila as his successor.
WRITING ON THE WALL
To his credit, Uhuru has done his level best over time to do both.
The writing is on the wall that he does not wish for Ruto to succeed him as he recently endorsed the ex-PM for all practical purposes and intent.
This brings us to the second takeaway or meaning from the Azimio la Umoja conference: If there was a remote chance that Uhuru could have a change of heart and reconcile with Ruto, that opportunity is now out of the window.
By this public reaffirmation of the handshake, Uhuru and therefore Jubilee’s support for Raila as the next president is as good as done.
It may not have been so announced at the event, but Uhuru has now given Ruto notice to vacate the DP’s official residence and if he does not do so voluntarily, the president and the powers that be may have to find other legal means to accomplish that.
The third reading from Azimio la Umoja is the reassurance of the public by the government and the ruling party that notwithstanding what lies ahead, the government and all the key political players in the country have resolved that the 2022 elections shall be as peaceful and historic as we have not had in the country, save, perhaps in 2002.
In another way, Uhuru and the government are saying, “Mr. Deputy President-on-paper, kindly read the writing on the wall and take a bow for we are not about to let you fool anyone into a presidency that is against all that we stand for as a country and in the spirit of the handshake”.
The man from Sugoi is a holder of a doctorate some question its authenticity but hardly anyone can question he is smart enough to know much as he believes he has what it takes to defeat the system.
The reality, though, is that he doesn’t have it and the wiser choice is to bail and live to fight another day.