Raila Odinga, Kenya’s opposition leader, has denied holding political truce talks with President William Ruto during their three-weekend meetings.
Mr. Odinga described his meeting with President Ruto on Tuesday at a burial in central Nyandarua county and later at two local football matches as “chance meetings” that had nothing to do with the country’s political situation.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader signed a post-election agreement with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018, which became known as the “handshake.”
The ruling Kenya Kwanza administration has repeatedly accused him of staging anti-government protests in order to force a political handshake with President Ruto.
“We didn’t talk about anything but football.” For the record, we do not want or have requested a handshake with the government,” Mr Odinga stated.
The three meetings between the president and the former prime minister sparked speculation of a political truce between the two adversaries.
Both camps shared photos of the president and Mr. Odinga sitting close together, enjoying the football matches.
This comes as Mr. Odinga threatens to launch new protests in response to the Finance Bill 2023, which proposes new taxes on Kenyans.
