Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dismissed the claims that he is after a Handshake deal with President William Ruto.
The phrase Handshake was coined after Raila reconciled with Former President Uhuru Kenyatta after a fierce battle in the 2017 elections that was characterised by mass demonstrations.
After months of push and pull, the two leaders unexpectedly walked on the steps of Harambee, the office of the President, shook hands and from then worked together in serving Kenyans.
Though Raila was never given a position in government, the famous Handshake has been perceived as a conciliatory move that makes the opposition join the government; a power-sharing deal of sorts.
In a phone interview with NTV on Thursday, Raila re-affirmed neither he nor the other Azimio co-principals wanted such a deal with Ruto.
"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.
In a statement directed to Raila, Ruto on Wednesday said Kenyans were against a Handshake deal between the government and the opposition.
He was speaking in Kericho when he added that he was however ready to engage in talks for the sake of Kenyans.
The President said the handshake is what brought about the economic crisis in the country.
"Hawa watu wakwende kabisa! Hatuna shida na kuongea na mtu yeyote as long as tunaongea mambo ya mwananchi. Raia wamekataa mambo ya handshake na hio ndio ilituletea shida tukaingia kwa madeni kubwa," Ruto said.
He added that power-sharing is only decided by elections.
