Before his swearing-in and in the early months of his presidency, President William Ruto openly rejected the idea of "handshake" politics, firmly stating that he had no interest in forming alliances with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, or opposition leader Raila Odinga.
He declared, "I do not believe in handshake stories...
I believe in an accountable government, held to account by the opposition." Fast forward to 2024, and Ruto's words now feel like distant echoes, drowned out by the reality of his actions.
Adding to the shift, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua-whom Ruto once vowed to protect-was impeached months ago, marking a significant break from the promises of loyalty and shielded alliances Ruto once proclaimed.
