Ruto’s handshake, power struggles and broken ties

Ruto’s Handshake Fallout: Power Shifts and Fractured Alliances
President William Ruto’s evolving relationship with opposition leader Raila Odinga and his changing stance on handshake politics have exposed cracks in alliances and sparked a wave of power struggles within Kenya’s ruling and opposition ranks. Once openly dismissive of handshake deals with his predecessor or rivals, Ruto now finds himself entangled in one—a development his earlier statements seemed to preclude. The shift has sparked serious realignments as old ties fray and new power centres emerge.
In the lead‑up to his presidency, Ruto declared himself opposed to power‑sharing frameworks, branding them incompatible with his vision of an accountable government. However, by 2024 his posture shifted markedly. Analysts note that his partnership with Raila Odinga appears to be less about ideological synergy and more about pragmatic survival, as the two collided with deputy figures and slim majorities in Parliament. Former allies in the Kenya Kwanza coalition, particularly those who expected ascendancy through traditional hierarchies, now find themselves sidelined amid new arrangements.
The reaction has been swift and intense: veteran politicians once considered indispensable are now described as expendable, and intra‑coalition tensions are surfacing publicly. Some observers view the handshake as a strategy for Ruto to neutralise opposition and shore up his position ahead of the 2027 General Election rather than a genuine national unity effort. The sidelining of certain deputies and governors, and the elevation of Odinga‑allied figures, suggest a realignment of power rather than reconciliation.
Looking forward, the unfolding drama raises questions about Kenya’s political trajectory. Will this union deliver the reforms and stability promised, or will it collapse under the weight of its own contradictions—chiefly the sidelined figures and betrayed alliances? With key elections looming, the handshake deal may either become a model of coalition politics or go down as another chapter of fractured trust and shifting loyalties in Kenya’s political landscape.