Ruto: I don't believe in handshakes, I want a strong opposition

President-elect William Ruto says that he believes in a government that is kept in check by a "responsible" and vibrant opposition.

Ruto on Monday revealed that he will be calling his "worthy" opponent in the just-concluded polls Raila Odinga to talk on a series of issues, among them the contextualisation of how his Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition will keep the Kenya Kwanza government in check.

Ruto, who was speaking shortly after the Supreme Court upheld his August 9 2022 election win, said that he will not follow his predecessor's example by entering into a 'handshake' with Raila, insisting that no opposition will be bad for Kenya.

"I will call Raila Odinga, my worthy competitor, with his Azimio team so that we can begin to contextualise how we are going to work for the people of Kenya... those of us who will be working in the executive and the Azimio team who will be working in the opposition," Ruto said, adding "I do not believe in the handshake stories, I believe in an accountable government that is held to account by a responsible opposition. That is how Kenya is going to move forward."

Weakening opposition

Ruto was, however, questioned on the recent political activities where he has wooed a section of Azimio La Umoja members into his alliance, an act that effectively weakens the opposition.

But in a rejoinder, he says that many of the Azimio members who have joined his camp had been forced and intimidated into supporting the Raila-led coalition.