2018 Kenya handshake

They challenged Ruto's victory in the Supreme Court, however, Chief Justice Martha Koome said his claims did not meet the evidentiary threshold and dismissed the case.

[6] Reports from the Judiciary indicated the existence of vigilante groups funding the then-ruling party led by Daniel arap Moi; key among them was Jeshi La Mzee.

In 2002, the National Rainbow Coalition, led by Mwai Kibaki, was established, leading to peace in 2005 when a referendum was held to vote for a newly drafted constitution.

Kenyans would refer to what followed as exemplifying Kenya's status as "a cradle of violence" after the elections plunged the country into a period of bloodshed and mass killings; animosity and enmity peaked across ethnic divides.

Observers, including the European Union, noted discrepancies in the election results, which infuriated the ardent Odinga supporters in the Luo community.

[6] The International Criminal Court instituted charges of crimes against humanity and inciting to violence on six Kenyans, widely referred to as the "Ocampo Six", among them Uhuru Kenyatta and the then deputy president of Kenya William Ruto.

[14] On 9 March 2018, Kenyans woke to the news that the key leaders, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, who were at the helm of the divisive politics and had been hurling insults at each other, were putting their differences aside and uniting through a "handshake".

Although most Kenyans perceived it as the leaders putting aside their personal interests for the country's common good, another section felt an element of betrayal in the sudden union.

[19] Odinga effectively resigned from this position on 23 February 2023, citing "challenges to my continued availability for the role" and his desire "to pursue other pressing and urgent" issues.

On 22 February 2023, he issued a 14-day ultimatum for President William Ruto to act on alleged electoral injustice and the skyrocketing cost of living—or face nationwide protests.