William Ruto Tells Raila He Isn't Interested In Handshake, Warns Him Against Protests: "Ntawakalia Ngumu"

• President William Ruto warns Raila against pursuing a 'nusu-mkate' agenda during the upcoming Kenya Kwanza-Azimio talks
• The president said he intends to avoid repeating history and insisted on not granting any concessions to the Opposition
• Ruto also admitted he asked Raila to stop protests in the past and further vowed to be tougher on Opposition

President William Ruto has scoffed at his rival Raila Odinga and maintained that he would not engage in a power-sharing truce akin to the ones his predecessors undertook with him.

Coming against the backdrop of the anticipated Azimio-Kenya Kwanza talks, which are set to commence this coming week, Ruto said he is not interested in giving the former prime minister even an ounce of his government.

Speaking on Saturday, August 5, during his tour of the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, a tough-talking Ruto warned Raila that the upcoming talks will not be an avenue for a 'nusu-mkate' agenda.

While citing the truces that gave Raila a slice of power in previous regimes, the head of state maintained he will be keen to ensure history does not repeat itself in this regime.

Further, the president also warned the Opposition against returning to the streets, saying he would not also condone any form of violence.

"They are used to this, they disturbed Moi, and they got something. They also disturbed Kibaki and got the nusu-mkate. They also disturbed Uhuru, and they got a handshake. This time round, they will get nothing. I was civil enough to ask them to stop the protests that led to destruction. I will be tough on them," he said as quoted by Citizen TV.

Raila Odinga says protests will return if talks fail

As the president was issuing his warning to the Opposition bigwig, he was at the same time also declaring that the anti-regime protests would resume if the mediation discussions failed to bear fruits.

Raila said he had given the dialogue with Ruto and his committee a month to discuss select issue failure to which they will resort to drastic measures.

"I have said that as Azimio la Umoja, we are ready to talk, we will talk, and we will give those individuals thirty days to talk. After 30 days, if they remain adamant, I will issue another directive. However, we have provided an opportunity, facilitated by Kalonzo Musyoka, for those from the other side to engage in dialogue," Raila said on Saturday, August 5.