United democratic alliance Secretary-General Cleophas Malala has asked Raila Odinga to stop claiming that the elections were rigged and accept that he lost the race for the country's top seat.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service at Silungai Primary School in Kakamega County on Saturday, Malala noted that Odinga was now grasping at straws in an alleged effort to coerce the Kenya Kwanza government into a handshake.
While referencing how he conceded defeat to ultimate winner Fernandes Barasa in the August 2022 Kakamega governorship contest, Malala urged Odinga to take a page from his political playbook and do the same.
“Mnajua vizuri sana uchaguzi uliisha. Tulikuwa kinyang’anyiro mkanipigia kura kidemokrasia na kura yangu haikujaa. Mimi kesho yake asubuhi nilisimama na nikasema nimekubali matokeo ya uchaguzi kwamba yule gavana ambaye mmechagua yeye atawale miaka tano,” said Malala.
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"Na mimi hamjaniona nikienda kwa baraza kuomba handshake, ati pia mimi nataka serikali hiyo. Ningependa Raila Odinga akuje kwa shule ambayo nafundisha mambo ya siasa; ukishindwa kubali umeshindwa. Hakuna handshake utapata kwa serikali ya Kenya Kwanza.”he added
Malala's views are similar to those of other Kenya Kwanza-affiliated politicians who have recently claimed that Odinga is only leading the bi-weekly Azimio protests to reach a political agreement with President William Ruto.
Senator Samson Cherargei believes President William Ruto's communication to Opposition Leader Raila Odinga should not be a handshake.
cherargei said that There would be no handshakes or hand-cheques. No way, mkate! Ruto's message is straightforward, adding that there are numerous avenues through which the opposition can raise their concerns, including Parliament. Still, they must be legal and constitutional.
In a press conference, President William Ruto asked the Azimio la Umoja coalition leader to call off the protests and give dialogue a chance. The opposition leader has agreed to call off the protests for a week.
