Editor's Review

President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM Leader Raila Odinga have called a crisis meeting at State House Nairobi in a bid to save the handshake on its third anniversary. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga have convened a crisis meeting at State House to save the Handshake.

Today, March 9, 2021, marks three years since the two leaders entered into a political agreement that brought calm to the country.

The meeting comes barely two days after leaders allied to the former Prime Minister urged the Head of State to exclude Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho from Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) campaigns.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM Leader at Harambee House on March 9, 2018. |Photo| Courtesy|

Senate Minority Whip James Orengo had on March 6, alleged that there were powerful civil servants in the country plotting President Kenyatta's succession.

Daily Nation reported that the president will meet the former premier this afternoon along with other party leaders.

The publication indicated that ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper-Kenya Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Senator Gideon Moi, FORD-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Muungano Party Leader Kivutha Kibwana, and Governor Charity Ngilu have all been invited to the meeting.

Governors led by Kakamega's Wycliffe Oparanya and Mombasa's Ali Hassan Joho are also invited.

Reports indicate that President Kenyatta will then meet house leaderships from both sides and conclude by holding talks with 'like-minded' leaders.

"The meeting of the party leaders is on course as earlier planned," Suna East MP Junet Mohammed was quoted as saying.

However, some leaders are yet to confirm their invitation to the meeting.

In a meeting convened by the Head of State and the aforementioned party leaders on February 25, Moi later announced that today's meeting would have included Members of Parliament. It seems to have taken a different trajectory.

"We shall hold a joint meeting on March 9, 2021, involving Members of Parliament and counties leadership," Senator Moi had stated then.

The meeting comes at a time when leaders allied to Odinga believe they are being shortchanged, while the rest of the National Super Alliance (Nasa) principals feels he should step aside.

The leaders are pro-BBI but face an ODM headache following threats by Junet Mohammed that the party would not hesitate to abandon the BBI train if President Kenyatta does not alienate Kibicho from BBI plans.