Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando has urged Azimio leader Raila Odinga to seek to address the challenges facing Kenyans and not push for a Handshake when he meets with President William Ruto.
Kabando commended Ruto for inviting Raila for talks, hoping that when they meet they need to hold inclusive and honest discussion.
"Cheers, Mr. President for climbing down. Dear Raila, eyes on the prize: public welfare, not Handshake," he said.
Kabando said the invitation was a show of statesmanship from Ruto even as he reminded them that the talks should include the solution to the tax burden and high cost of living.
"As correctly anticipated, it is, finally, statesmanship. May Ruto-Raila meeting prompt an inclusive and genuine dialogue #FinanceAct2023 #CostOfLivingCrisis #Statecapture agenda," he said.
His statements came after Ruto said he was ready to have talks with Raila at his convenience.
"My friend Raila Odinga, I am off to Tanzania for a human capital meeting to harmonise the expansion of employment opportunities in our continent. I am back tomorrow evening, and as you have always known, am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience. WsR," he tweeted.
On July 20, Raila had however dismissed any possibility of holding talks with Ruto, saying the President could not be trusted.
"There is no reason to sit down with him (Ruto) and dialogue because he might not fulfil his pledges. I don't want to trust him because today he will say something and tomorrow change tune and say something else," he said on Thursday during a phone interview with NTV.
Then, he also affirmed that he was not interested in a Handshake deal with the Kenya Kwanza government.
"Sisi hatujauliza na hatutauliza mambo ya handshake. Handshake ni porojo yao. Hatutaki (We have not asked for a Handshake and we will not ask for it. Handshake claims are their propaganda. We don't want)," he said.
The phrase Handshake was coined after Raila reconciled with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta after a fierce battle in the 2017 elections that was characterised by mass demonstrations.
The deal was made on March 9, 2018, at Harambee.
Raila has been organising protests aimed at getting Ruto to repeal the Finance Act 2023, lower the cost of living and end the political party poaching.
Other issues include auditing of the August 2022 presidential election and the reconstitution of IEBC.