A growing rebellion toward President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s handshake in Mt Kenya has forced the two to cancel a tour of the region.
According to sources, Uhuru was planning to take Raila in a tour of Mt Kenya region but the plans were changed after intelligence showed the two would receive a hostile reception.
Daily Nation reported that leaders in the region, as well as residents, are increasing showing their support for Deputy President William Ruto and see the handshake as a plot to shortchange him.
“Ruto’s popularity is growing in the region. People feel he stood with the region when Raila was against it,” an MP said.
A political analyst said many leaders from the region back the DP and this could be one reason why the trip was postponed.
“We have been witnessing leaders from Mr Ruto’s faction from Mt Kenya’s region, which is the political bedrock of Mr Kenyatta, accuse the President of neglecting the region; while they accuse Mr Odinga of hatching a plot to divide the ruling party, a move that could have informed them to postpone the meeting,” the analyst, James Kamau, told Daily Nation.
Sources said the meeting will take place in June as more consultations are done to include all leaders.