Dr. Jephenei Nyakwama Orina, 31-year-old Kenyan lawyer based in the United States (U.S) has criticized the government from locking him out of the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship race.
In an interview, Dr.Orina revealed that he applied for the position of the AUC chairperson through the government of Kenya as is required, hoping to be considered.
However, on July 29, he was met with the news that Azimio leader Raila Odinga had been fronted for the position.
The lawyer decried that the selection process lacked transparency and was discriminatory.
“I was ripped off my right as a Kenyan citizen to participate in the in the said process because I would expect that a government will be able to consider all the applications that are submitted,” Orina said.
He argues that all qualified aspirants should have been given an equal chance to be considered since the position was advertised.
“In as much as Raila is a tower in the political scene in Kenya that doesn’t mean that he’s above the law, we should be submitted to the same law and given the same opportunity,” he said.
Orina’s Explains How Govt Frustrated His Application
Lawyer Mokua Manyara, representing Dr. Orina through MNW Advocates, filed a petition challenging the government for disregarding his client’s application to become the next AUC chairperson.
Manyara explained that there was no communication from the government after his client applied for the position.
He added that the government did not respond to their demand letter while the court has not reacted to the case they filed.
“They reported to say that they had not received his application documents. However, the document we have with us has a received stamp,” Manyara said.
“We had wanted to hold the process of nomination submission of the name of Raila to the AUC but then also the Judiciary took too long to act on the file. The other repairs remaining include compensation for the abuse of his rights,” he said.
Also Read: Raila Unveils His Campaign Team for AUC Chairmanship Race
Mudavadi Statement on AUC Race
On Augst 21, the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi held a press conference jointly with Raila to give an update on his bid for the top seat at the AUC.
Mudavadi termed anyone questioning Raila’s suitability as a “sideshow” but failed to respond to whether or not other suitable candidates had been considered.
“Any other issues at this point in time are sides shows we want to be focused on presenting a credible respected statesman for the AUC chair and I can tell you anybody who is talking outside that does not fit that bill,” he said.
Also Read: Raila Announces When He Will Quit Kenyan Politics
Dr. Orina Plea & Education
However, Orina maintains that of Kenya youthful voices are lacking in top leadership since young people meet the requirements but fail to be considered.
“We hope that through that court decision we’ll be able to have a country that respects the government of Kenya the constitution,” he said.
This not the first time that Dr. Orina has thrown his hat in the ring to go head-to-head with some of Kenya’s political elites for a top job in the continent.
In 2022, he went toe-to-toe with then President William Ruto to try to clinch the UDA ticket for the presidency.
The 31-year-old holds a PhD, two master’s degrees as well as other academic qualifications. He has been practicing law in the United States.
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