Uhuru-Raila talks spark divided opinions among Kenyans online

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President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga during a past meeting. PHOTO: COURTESY.

Whoever said politics has no permanent enemies must be having the last laugh if anything that has been seen in the Kenyan political scene is anything to go by, especially on this Friday the 9th of March 9, 2018, when President Kenyatta met his political nemesis NASA leader Raila Odinga.

Today marks the first time the two leaders have had a sit down to dialogue since the disputed 2017 elections that saw Kenyans go to the ballot twice in the same election year.

After a private meeting, the two leaders walked out of Harambee house to address the press with the message of ending political differences that have divided Kenyans for generations.

“kutoka hapa tunataka kuunganisha taifa la Kenya ili tutembee pamoja kama watu moja” (from here we want to unite the nation so that we may walk together as one people) said Raila Odinga.

On his part president Kenyatta said, “this country of Kenya is greater than any one individual and that for this country to come together, leaders must come together.”

Scores of Kenyans and political leaders including deputy president William Ruto took to Twitter and other social media platforms to welcome the move.

Here are some of the tweets.

We thank Raila Odinga for standing up for the voice of people in Kenya. We understand his fatigue with fighting against fraudulent elections for more than 15 years. He has fought the good fight.

That’s why WE THE PEOPLE will take over from here.” Posted Dr. Wandia

“President Kenyatta meets president Raila Odinga at Harambee to decide which days they will be occupying the office. Raila will be at Harambee house every Monday , Wednesday and Friday. Uhuru on Tuesday ,Thursday and Saturday.” posted @NormanMagaya

“President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga coming together to unite Kenyans is the best thing to happen to Kenya in a very long time. I’ve never been proud of our leaders like I am right now. What’s happening at Harambee House is unbelievable.” posted @princegitz

Deputy President William Ruto also took to Twitter to join in the discussion.

“Congratulations PRES.UHURU & RAILA for being statesmen. You have risen to the moment for kenya and against hate, negative ethnicity and division. The unity,stability and transformation of Kenya supersedes all other partisan interests. Wangwana mubarikiwe mpaka mshangae.” Posted DP Ruto/

Others went ahead to come up with a hashtag #NASAisDead

“The mistake , and did was that they tried to act smarter than they actually are. When dealing with never underrate his abilities. He’s never out of ideas. He’ll always pull that smart move and leave you looking   bad.

Posted @BobOdhiambo

“Either Raila or Kalonzo was to leave NASA first. Uhuru meeting Raila without the other hanger-ons is the end of NASA. UK has scored big in taming NASA as Tillerson arrive tonight while Raila is telling diplomats that he is for talks and peace

Posted Robert Alai

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