KK MPs oppose handshake and plan to counter demos

President Ruto firmly supported the motion during a meeting at State House in Nairobi on Saturday, adding that the handshake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila touched him personally.

“No handshake will be exchanged. I alone am aware of how expensive the handshake was for Kenya and for me personally. It is not possible. On August 9, the voters made a choice, sending us to the government and our rivals to the opposition,” Ruto said.

The head of state said, “I won’t let you down. Together, we shall achieve success. It wouldn’t be simple, but we have a historical opportunity to reshape Kenya. We must make challenging but important decisions.”

In order to combat Azimio, the president requested that the MPs launch a grassroots campaign to “protect their constituents’ lives and property,” as one of the parliamentarians who requested anonymity informed the Sunday Standard. To prevent Raila from “destroying Kenya,” rallies scheduled for this week’s Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will be met with opposition from the lawmakers.

“Raila is trying to convince Kenyans that he has their best interests at heart by exploiting the current crisis. It is our responsibility to reveal his identity and demonstrate to our constituents how he was able to circumvent the system and gain access to government through a backdoor,” according to Gatanga MP Edward Muriu.

“Unlike before, when Raila got his way, we decided he must wait until 2027 to try his luck as president.”

There were 24 governors, senators, and MPs present during the meeting. Governors Cecily Mbarire of Embu, Johnson Sakaja of Nairobi, Anne Waiguru of Kirinyaga, Kenneth Lusaka of Bungoma, Fatuma Achani of Kwale, as well as MPs Silvanus Osoro of South Mugirango, Kimani Ichung’wa of the Kikuyu, David Ochieng’ of the Ugenya, and newly nominated MP Sabina Chege, all spoke during the PG.

Noordin Haji, the spymaster for Kenya, was charged with failing to deliver timely intelligence to quell the widespread protests during the conference.

The leaders vented their anger at the recent wave of protests that took the police off guard.

The UDA leaders were criticized for causing the void by not explaining to the populace the efforts the government had taken to alleviate the expense of living, but the leaders also noted that Kenyans were gradually embracing the cause.

They complained that despite reports that the spymaster supports the opposition, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya frequently caught the police off guard.

According to sources present at the meeting, the MPs criticized Haji’s supposed plan to subdue the opposition leader and claimed that he “spends all his night time” with Raila and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

During the PG, a few MPs and governors made threats to have the spymaster removed from his position for reportedly trying to arrange a handshake between Raila and President William Ruto.

One of the lawmakers remarked, “He has been saying that Raila needs to be calmed down using government favors… The NIS DG must decide whether he is a public servant or in Azimio.”

Haji took up the NIS position from Major General Philip Kameru, who was ousted as part of a Ruto purge against Uhuru’s selections, less than a month ago.

There have been calls to arrest Raila and the leaders associated with Azimio, but doing so would merely fall into their trap by giving them political capital and sympathy, according to Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatangi.

The senator claims that during the discussion, it was “realised” that Raila and his staff were exploiting a vacuum, and it was decided to leave our comfort zones and go out to the grassroots.

To “protect their constituents’ lives and property,” as one of the politicians who requested anonymity told the Sunday Standard, the MPs will launch a grassroots campaign. The lawmakers are prepared to respond this week’s Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday protests are scheduled to prevent Raila from “destroying Kenya.”

Raila is trying to convince Kenyans that he has their best interests at heart by exploiting the current crisis. It is our responsibility to reveal his identity and demonstrate to our constituents how he was able to circumvent the system and gain access to government through a backdoor, according to Gatanga MP Edward Muriu.

“Unlike before, when Raila got his way, we decided he must wait until 2027 to try his luck as president.”

Ichungwa and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot made a joint statement following the meeting that alluded to a potential mobilization against anti-government demonstrations.

“As Kenya Kwanza’s elected leaders, we have made a commitment to work with the police and our constituents to prevent additional loss of life and livelihood. Going forward, we and the people shall guard peace, property, and lives from these destructive individuals,” the two proclaimed, accusing Raila and Uhuru of participating in the protests for their own personal gain.

They asserted that Azimio was paying demonstrators to cause mayhem all throughout the nation.

“Odinga’s backers in the old government funded the violent protests we’ve seen in recent months. Each demonstration is preceded by the shipment of tens of millions of shillings,” according to the two parliamentarians.

According to reports, the Kenya Kwanza plan also calls for modifying the government’s narrative to highlight its accomplishments and its ambitions to bring down the cost of living, which has increased beyond the means of many Kenyans who are vulnerable. Ruto stated that because they had been chosen to represent their constituents, parliamentarians were in the ideal position to build relationships with them.

The government’s subsidised fertiliser program, which is expected to produce a bountiful harvest in the following two months and cut unga prices after waves of previous commitments, was endorsed by the MPs.

The simplest choice would be to take out additional debt. We won’t, though. We might also cave in to pressure. However, we won’t. Our rivals are aware of our likelihood of success. They are making every attempt to disturb us because of this. But they’ll fall short,” continued Ruto.