Prominent lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has praised President Uhuru Kenyatta for embracing and accepting to work with his once fiercest critic Raila Odinga in his second and final term.
Raila, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, threatened to form a parallel government after disputed 2017 elections and force a total shutdown of Uhuru's Jubilee government.
However, on March 9, 2018, the duo announced they have buried the hatchet and established Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to reconcile and bring unity among Kenyans.
Since then Raila has been receiving VVIP treatment from State agencies, hosting international dignitaries as well being consulted by Cabinet Secretaries on various policy issues.
In a post on his social media platforms, Abdullahi lauded the Head of State for showing compassion and giving the former Prime Minister 'a new lease of life'.
"This is why Kenyans love His Excellency Uhuru and voted for him overwhelmingly twice. Even though he doesn't have the power under any law and the constitution prohibits it, through his deep sense of compassion and empathy he has given Baba a new lease of life...That is leadership!!!" he tweeted on Friday.
According to Raila's spokesman Dennis Onyango, his boss does not receive any salary or hold any position in Uhuru's administration, but noted he was receiving massive support from the government in his job as the High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
“Officially, his role is that of the AU infrastructure representative and relevant government agencies have been told to work with him and facilitate his travel wherever he goes,” said Onyango in an interview with Daily Nation.
Both the President and Raila have repeatedly stated their handshake has nothing to do with the 2022 succession politics.
However, allies of Deputy President William Ruto have in various occasions accused the ODM leader of wrecking the ruling party through handshake.