Deputy President William Ruto needs to accept that ODM leader Raila Odinga is part of the Jubilee Party, Prof Edward Kisiang'ani has said.
The university don said Raila moved to Jubilee on March 9, 2018, when he made a peace deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta that was marked by the famous handshake.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Kisiang'ani said instead of Ruto complaining and fighting the former Prime Minister, he should officially welcome him, together with his supporters, to the ruling party.
"My point is DP Ruto should accept the reality that Jubilee has a new member called RAO. The DP should officially arrange to receive RAO and former ODM supporters to Jubilee, give them red shirts, caps and party constitution. Internal party tools to deal with any new indisciplined guys," he posted.
Kisiang'ani, a renowned history, and political science scholar argued that according to the law, Raila ceased to be a member of ODM when he started promoting and advocating for policies formulated by the Jubilee Party.
"Under the Political Parties Act, if you promote the policies of another political party while still posing as a member of your parent party, you cease to be a member of your original party. This is the dilemma in ODM. They quit their party by law but they don't seem to see that," he said.
Since the handshake, Raila has been leading government functions and receiving briefings from senior State officials including Cabinet Secretaries.
On his part, Ruto has frequently accused the Opposition chief of being the source wrangles in the ruling party, particularly through his insistent calls for a reforms of the constitution.
"Now, there are perennial agitators on the issues of the Constitution who have been pushing for a referendum. You know the people who are always championing for a referendum. That is why some leaders in Jubilee are confused because we are not used to that language," Ruto said in the past as quoted by the Nation.