Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has expressed his view on the growing unity between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The former Deputy Prime Minister rubbished claims that the reconciliation has prolonged Raila's lifeline, saying that the latter was and remains a chief politician in the country.
This follows claims by a section of politicians and pundits that Odinga has bounced back to the center after his bid flopped in the 2017 presidential contest.
But speaking to the Standard, Mudavadi maintained that Raila did not need the truce for survival, as he proved in the election where he managed millions of votes.
“The handshake isn’t therefore what has thrust him to the centre. Remember he was the NASA candidate last year and millions voted for us. He is not short of supporters.
"What the handshake has done, however, is make it easier for him to operate without the usual barrage from the State,” he said.
However, the opposition's National Super Alliance (NASA) founder noted that the truce, despite having a wide range of benefits, is equally disadvantageous to the Nation.
He said that it has resulted to confusion of where the opposition stands, and should be watched closely to prevent a situation where the side ends up being absorbed into government.
“In fact, what we need to guard against is the possibility of the handshake scuttling and dimming Opposition to the extent of “Opposition lying in State”, so to speak,” he added.
However, Raila and his lieutenants have severally maintained that they will continue keeping the government on check regardless of their political romance with the President's quarters.