No love lost as Ruto, Gideon finally have their handshake
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has sent tongues wagging with his lukewarm handshake to Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday at the funeral service of the late Jonathan Moi.
Dr Ruto’s brief encounter with Senator Moi in Kabarak has been widely shared on social media.
The Deputy President had arrived shortly after the funeral service started and proceeded to greet members of the Moi family.
He approached Senator Moi and stretched out a hand that was met by an indifferent response. There was no eye contact involved and Senator Moi hardly stood from his feet.
Kabarak Live: Deputy President William Ruto extends a handshake to Gideon Moi at the late Jonathan Moi's burial.#JonathanMoiSendOff pic.twitter.com/sGQtg1c8T2
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) April 27, 2019
The encounter has divided opinion on Twitter.
“When you don’t honour a higher leader by standing you will never rise up to and above that position,” said @Redempta.
“Gideon Moi missed an opportunity to raise above political differences DP William Ruto was gracious on this occasion,” wrote @BeingCharlie.
“The Dp is humble and a true leader who deserves the opportunity to proof his enemies wrong,” commented @johnkioko36.
“Inasmuch as I hate Looto’s guts, he’s the DP, you stand up in respect ama namna gani man-gidi,” said @YussufMwinyi.
The two have been engaged in supremacy battles over the Rift Valley region that has seen the two not being able to see eye to eye.