Kenya's political landscape remains fractured one year after the 'Handshake' deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, which emerged amid acute tensions following the 2017 election crisis. The agreement, brokered ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit, aimed to avert violence by addressing ethnic divisions and electoral disputes through the Building Bridges Initiative.
The pact temporarily eased hostilities between the Jubilee and NASA coalitions, leading to rare public unity on issues like security and corruption. However, disagreements over constitutional reforms—particularly Odinga's push for a prime minister role—have reignited divisions. Deputy President William Ruto and his allies accuse the opposition leader of leveraging the deal to secure political advantages ahead of the 2022 elections.
The agreement's 11-member task force, tasked with gathering public input, is set to release recommendations in May 2023. Meanwhile, tensions over devolution and power distribution continue to test the fragile political equilibrium. Critics point to the 2007/08 post-election violence as a cautionary tale, questioning whether the deal will achieve its goal of fostering national unity or merely delay deeper reforms.
The 'Handshake' deal also sparked fresh conflicts, as Ruto's allies allege the anti-corruption drive targets their community. This has undermined trust in the initiative, despite Kenyatta and Odinga's public commitment to shared prosperity. The 2013 elections marked the last period of sustained unity between the two main political formations, making the current rifts all the more significant.
