The famous March 9 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has not affected the Jubilee Party 2022 succession plan.
According to Majority Leader in the National Assembly and Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, Raila remains the leader of the opposition and his move to work with the government doesn't make him a member of the ruling outfit.
Speaking during an interview with Ebru TV on Thursday night, Duale said Deputy President William Ruto remains Jubilee candidate in 2022 polls and dismissed claims there were plans by senior party officials to shortchange him over Uhuru-Raila deal.
"He (Raila) did not join Jubilee by shaking hands with the President. Ruto's succession plan is intact and unstoppable. If Jubilee would have merged with Raila's ODM then we would be worried about Ruto's future," the vocal legislator said.
Duale further urged Kenyans not to read too much into why Ruto and Kalonzo Musyoka (Raila's running mate) were left out of the handshake talks saying it was in the best interest of the country that the two leading politicians mend fences as their differences are historical.
"The handshake by the two leaders was to confirm that the country is bigger than their personal interests and political differences. The handshake was the best thing that happened to Kenya," he remarked.