Kenyatta and Odinga now "brothers" after political showdown

Politics in Kenya is a very confusing game indeed. Like a game of chess, the country has two kings both vying for control yet these kings sat through a meeting and a television address, calling each other "brother" for the world to see. It is very difficult to explain just what could be going on in Kenya. 150 people were killed after the last election in the country. 150 lives, pawns in a game of thrones and yet today the two Presidents, one legally sworn in and the other self-professed, now sit together and make merry. To add to the complication, these two rejected calls for talks for a very long time and now just as US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson lands in the country, they are brothers. In any case, the good news is Kenyatta promised, "We will begin a process of discussing what ails us and what creates division amongst us."

It is a bold promise Kenyans should not easily forget. In a rare show of maturity, Kenyatta added, "Elections come and go but Kenya remains."

 Odinga also said it was time to resolve differences in the country. 

The big question has naturally been that of sincerity. Is this an act to impress Tillerson or it is for the people? The act has suspiciously coincided with the Tillerson "listening tour" Kenyan leg and some have called it a "preemptive stunt" by the duo to avoid bad publicity and a diplomatic embarrassment. On the other hand, focusing on what drove the reconciliation seems trivial when considering the 150 people who died because the leaders were childishly bickering. Any reconciliation, regardless of who inspired it is welcome. 

Header Image: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters