Story perspectives

Odinga’s Handshakes Fuel Kenya’s One-Year Death Legacy Debate

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 12:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kenya commemorates former prime minister Raila Odinga one year after his death, sparking a legacy debate.
Odinga’s handshakes with Kibaki (2008), Kenyatta (2018) and Ruto (2024) showed his approach.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called the handshakes ‘nonsense’ in May, saying they weakened opposition.
ODM leader Edwin Sifuna warned the party could lose supporters as its identity shifts.

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Story summary

Kenya commemorates former prime minister Raila Odinga one year after his death, sparking a legacy debate.
Odinga’s handshakes with Kibaki (2008), Kenyatta (2018) and Ruto (2024) showed his approach.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called the handshakes ‘nonsense’ in May, saying they weakened opposition.
ODM leader Edwin Sifuna warned the party could lose supporters as its identity shifts.