Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga shared a podium after days of vicious campaigns that saw their lieutenants drag them to 2022 presidential elections.
At parliament buildings on April 4, Raila was first to arrive before the DP made his entry. As per the traditions, Ruto had to wait for President Uhuru Kenyatta who was the chief guest in the state of the nation address.
Special dignitaries took their position at the VVIP section in the public gallery from where they could have a clear view of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Brought together by Uhuru's state of the nation address, DP Ruto and Odinga shared the VVIP podium though at a distance.
In recent weeks, Ruto has been accusing Raila of sabotaging his 2022 presidential bid through his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta and fixing him in the war against corruption.
However, Kenyatta vowed to continue with his fight against corruption, adding that he will ensure the law is followed before taking stern actions against perpetrators.
“I’ve been under pressure on whom am I sacking. But I must caution that the pursuit of corruption will be undertaken within the law. It will not be taken through vigilante justice and pitchfork protest.
Though media narratives rally our resolve as they should, our actions shall not be based on condemnation before one has been heard. The cornerstone of our democracy is the rule of law and the principle of due process is a critical anchor of that principle,” the President said.
While the DP has been linking graft purge to 2022 succession battles, Uhuru and Raila have often maintained that the war is neither tribal nor political.