Moment of truth: Ruto was part of handshake, Uhuru says
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday said his deputy William Ruto was aware of the handshake long before it happened.
While launching the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report at Bomas, Uhuru said Ruto was working behind the scenes to ensure the Handshake became a reality.
“I also want to thank my deputy. Along that path, I kept him abreast of what was going on he was part and parcel of it all. Ask him,” Uhuru said.
“He even helped me identify some of the elders I mentioned here. The purpose as I had told him was never to talk about what shall happen tomorrow in terms of elective posts," the President added.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has always affirmed that only him and the President were aware of the handshake details.
In media interviews, Ruto has always said Uhuru consulted him before entering into handshake with Raila.
Uhuru said Raila never made any demands to be part of the government.
“Let us talk to each other and not at each other. The BBI is not about Uhuru becoming Prime Minister and Raila the President, it is about what is the best for the country,” Raila said.
On his part, DP Ruto says he is yet to finish reading the BBI, adding scientist like him take time to read and internalise.
"Those saying they have finished reading the BBI should give us some time. Scientists like me take long to read, internalise and do some experiments. I want to urge leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka who say they have finished reading should understand we have different reading capacity," said Ruto.
DP Ruto adds: "All Kenyans have a civic duty to engage in this process. We do not have the luxury to say I don't care or walk away. It is said that; the punishment given to good people who don't participate in the politics and governance of their country is to be ruled by fools."
