Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria has predicted that Azimio leader Raila Odinga will only serve for two years if he is elected as the next African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.
CS Kuria stated that the opposition leader is likely to resign from the AUC chairperson position to contest in the 2027 elections.
“He will do two years, I think his t-shirts are ready for 2027 elections,” he said.
In an interview on Monday, March 11, Kuria disagreed with politicians claiming Raila will exit local politics should he win the seat.
According to him, Raila Odinga was born to be a politician in the national space and not to be AUC chairperson.
“The only problem is that people who have got no bearing of history think that Baba (Raila) is going anywhere. Baba is coming back,” Kuria noted.
“Baba is filling time; these mid years are not very easy. So, for him to get something productive to do, it is good instead of wasting a good brain.”
The Public Service CS mentioned that Raila will hand over the position to another East African leader, mentioning former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete as a potential individual to take over the role.
“I have seen some amateurs trying to think that Baba is going anywhere, Baba will be on the ballot. This term, he is going to call it short and maybe give it to another East African to finish for him, maybe Kikwete, as he takes care of some urgent business,” Kuria stated.
Why Ruto is Supporting Raila
Besides, he defended President William Ruto stating that his support for Raila is not angled towards the next polls.
He explained that Ruto’s support to the Azimio leader is not meant to tie him down politically leaving him free to contest in the 2027 elections.
“I think the president is doing something from the genuine part of his heart and I don’t think he is tying this to whatever Raila wants to do with his life. I think he is doing it genuinely,” he said.
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He stated that there will be an interesting contest between Raila and Ruto in 2027 since it won’t be the first time the opposition leader is having a rematch with a sitting president.
“Let’s say there is going to be a contest, Baba has always had his Constituencies and it is not the first time he is having a rematch. He had one with President Uhuru Kenyatta. A contest with Baba is always interesting, one which you cannot write or wish away,” he said.
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Kuria Supports Raila’s AUC Bid
However, he supported Raila’s bid arguing that it is good for Kenya and the East African Countries.
Kuria said East Africans are not well represented in Pan African leadership including at the AU and the African financial institutions.
He revealed that the African Development Bank, African Export Bank and Africa Finance Corporation are all headed by individuals from Nigeria.
“To have representation of people to the caliber of Raila at AU is paramount, good for our politics and we will do everything possible to ensure he gets that position,” Kuria said.
He also revealed that Kenya will submit another bid for the African Development Bank president position.
