Opposition chief and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has admitted that his handshake and deal to work with Uhuru Kenyatta is under threat as some leaders are opposed to it.
Speaking at Cambridge University in London, he warned that perpetrators of historical injustices have ganged up to suffocate his deal with Uhuru which is essentially meant to unite all Kenyans. He said there is opposition from a breed of politicians opposed to change and development
Mr. Odinga expressed confidence that the deal would hence foster forth a new dawn for Kenyans and be a worthy example for other nations on the continent to copy. “It is our hope that the handshake could inspire other African nations struggling with problems similar to those of Kenya,” he said.
Raila dismissed claims he was after political power under his covenant with the President asserting that creating a stable nation is the sole reason for the handshake and peace pact dubbed Building the Bridges Initiative.
Raila has been accused of seeking a piece of government through the backdoor by a section of politicians in Parliament.
The former PM stressed that the two are committed to address historical issues that have created bitter divisions in the country and also been the major source of high end tensions.
Raila said they went through the country’s historical problems and arrived at an understanding that they work as one for the sake of future generations in the political arena and the country at large. "We agreed that we have to make these changes if we are to have a nation. We are not in any way deluded that these changes will come easy," he said.
"There will be opposition and resistance because the issues we want to tackle go to the core of how Kenya has been run over the past five decades."Raila said
According to Raila the two agreed that time to reflect on Kenya’s performance in the search of justice, unity, peace, liberty and prosperity has come.“We came to the conclusion that our diversity appeared destined to be a curse to ourselves today and to our children tomorrow, unless we confront them,” he said.
He noted that there were problems at hand and everyone needed to face them and take responsibility for the better future.