Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has told off his Nairobi counterpart Edwin Sifuna, warning him against sabotaging the budding coalition between UDA and ODM. Cherargei, a vocal ally of President Ruto, accused Sifuna of "political hypocrisy" for enjoying government perks while criticizing the handshake.

"You cannot have your cake and eat it," Cherargei said. "If ODM is in government, then Sifuna is in government. He should stop making noise and support the President." The clash underscores the friction between the hardliners in both parties as they attempt to merge into a single political vehicle for 2027.