The race to succeed the incumbent African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, Moussa Faki from Chad, is intensifying, with Kenya’s Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other contenders eying the seat.
President William Ruto launched Raila’s AUC bid at State House, Nairobi on August 27, 2024, in show of might. Several heads of state including Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni graced the event.
However, even with the backing of the state machinery, Raila is facing stiff competition from Djibouti’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
But Odinga is not just confronting the Djibouti threat alone. Back home, the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, fondly known as Baba, is facing resistance from a section of Kenyans.
After he joined government, some Kenyans feel that Odinga betrayed his followers and doesn’t deserve the AUC sit. Some observers on the other hand see this as selfishness on the part of Kenyans, who cannot support their son for the continental post.
Mudge Rulf a German epidemiologist and the founder of the Diaspora Network Hub posed a provocative question: “Kenyans supporting the Djibouti candidate, are you doing it because the guy is good or because you hate Raila?”
Rulf made the statement on X, attracting a torrent of comments.
“Is it the same hate that led you to vote for Ruto simply because Raila was the alternative?” Rulf added.
Also Read: Salva Kiir Meets Djibouti AU Candidate, Is Raila’s Bid at Risk?
Kenyans on Raila AUC Bid
Reactions from other Kenyans were varied, as some voiced their opinions on Raila’s suitability for the AU chairmanship. A number of responses indicated a lack of confidence in him.
Among those who responded to Rulf was vocal lawyer Miguna Miguna. “Raila Odinga is by far the worst candidate for any leadership position in Kenya and Africa,” he stated.
On his part, Gabriel Oguda, warned Rulf that she should take precaution. “Put your helmet on. A digital stone thrower will be assigned to you shortly.”
Another X user by the name Logic Bomb said the AUC post was too demanding for Raila based on his age.
“Raila is 79. Bestowing the AUC chairmanship on octogenarian Raila is a significant responsibility. Supporting the Djibouti candidate is a favour to him he should retire and share vitendawili with his grandkids,” the tweet read.
His silence regarding recent abductions in Kenya has also tarnished his reputation. “Right now, Kenyans are being abducted and harmed for no reason due to his greed. He is silent because he is now part of a government that includes those who commit violence yet carry Bibles every Sunday,” read another reaction.
As for Brian Vanyoike, Kenyans are enemies of themselves. “That’s how Kenyans are for you. Everywhere you go Kenyans would rather choose a devil over you if they don’t like you,” he said.
“Kenyans would rather go out of their ways to pin you down so that you don’t climb up. As Kenyans in Diaspora what they think of other Kenyans. We are our own downfall. We have the mentality of if we I fail, I’m dragging you with me.”
Erick Murithi said the position was far beyond Kenya and that the character of Odinga was raising eyebrows.
“AU seat is not about Kenya or Djibouti, it’s about Africa. The character in that old guy will endanger the whole continent and might result to diplomatic wrangles. Been my favourite politically but the current ongoing political tensions exposed the greed in him,” Murithi noted.
Also Read: I Am Ready to Drop My AU Bid to Support Gen Z – Raila
Mudavadi Campaigns for Odinga in Burundi
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday, October 30 campaigned for Raila at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) summit in Burundi.
He urged COMESA member states to rally behind Raila’s bid.
“Raila Odinga possesses exceptional diplomatic and advocacy skills, with a proven track record of engaging global, continental, and regional leaders to promote Africa’s interests.”
He further praised Odinga, portraying him as a capable leader who can guide Africa towards integration, prosperity, and peace.
Mudavadi went on to highlight Odinga’s role as AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa from 2018 to 2023, arguing that “he successfully mobilized political support for key infrastructure projects under the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).”
There were reports that Djibouti’s Youssouf attended the summit and campaigned with Nairobi remaining silent on if Odinga was also expected in Burundi.
Ruto Launches Odinga AUC Bid
During the launch of Odinga’s bid in Nairobi, East African Community (EAC) leaders present endorsed Raila, including bloc chair, Salva Kiir, President of South Sudan
The EAC leaders collectively expressed their support for Raila, including Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Burundi’s Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, Museveni of Uganda, and Rwanda’s Foreign Minister James Kabarebe, who represented President Paul Kagame.
Elections will take place in February 2025 during the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Odinga handed over his Orange Democratic Movement leadership to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o to concentrate on the AUC campaign.
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