Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga says that former President Uhuru Kenyatta urged him to speak with President William Ruto for the sake of unity in the country.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, the Opposition chief defended the formation of a broad-based government with President Ruto as he seemingly shifted blame at Uhuru, after Kenyans accused Odinga of betrayal.

Odinga who disputed claims of an existing handshake between him and the current president reiterated that the purported alignment of Opposition and government leaders was solely for the unity of the country.

He said that Uhuru was the one who pushed him to make up with his political rival, following weeks of deadly anti-government protests in a bid to unite the country and prevent further bloodshed.

"When the country was burning, Uhuru called and told me to look for Ruto and speak to him; if the country burns, we won't have another. Ni mpaka tuzime huu moto watu waketi chini waelewane," Odinga said.

"So William looked for me and we talked. Si mnajua huwa sifichi mambo, I speak directly. The media is publishing articles saying Raila-Ruto Handshake, hakuna handshake."

The remarks come even as Odinga claimed that President Ruto looked for him and suggested dialogue, which later resulted in the appointment of four ODM members as Cabinet Secretaries.

After Kenyans slammed Odinga for seeking dialogue, the Azimio leader at the time also blamed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka saying he was responsible for urging him to speak to Ruto.