Wetang’ula: Raila’s AU bid represents Kenya, not political ambition

Star Newspaper

Published: Feb.,26 2024 11:06 AM(EAT)

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has endorsed Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC).

According to the Speaker, if Raila’s bid becomes successful, it would lead him to step back from national politics.

Wetang’ula also noted that Raila will be contesting for the position as Kenya’s candidate and not to fulfill his political ambitions.

“He now wants to go to Addis Ababa and he can’t go there without the blessing and support of the government. The President has said the job doesn’t belong to Raila but the Republic of Kenya,” Wetang’ula said on Sunday.

In addition to that, the Speaker noted that the time is ripe for Raila to exit the political stage, considering he has vied unsuccessfully for the presidency five times.

“What he has done on the local scene is enough, even Shakespeare said the world is a stage, you come to play your part, you leave and others enter the scene. Let him go to Addis Ababa,” Wetang’ula said.

Early this month, Raila made a surprise announcement of his bid for the position of African Union Commission Chairperson.

If endorsed for the seat, he will technically be edged out of Kenya’s political landscape and the next General Election since he will be required to serve in the position until 2028.

Raila will only retain his rights to vote in Kenya as a citizen but his hands will be tied and he will not take part in active politics.

Since the announcement, the opposition chief has garnered endorsements from various sectors, marking a pivotal moment in the journey of one of Kenya’s most esteemed politicians vying for a leadership role on the African stage.

The government said it fully backs Raila’s bid for the position.

The Kenya Kwanza government urged leaders to put aside their political differences and rally behind Raila’s candidacy for the position of AUC chairperson.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura affirmed that President William Ruto’s administration was fully behind Raila.

“If he gets an opportunity to serve us at the AU as the chair, we as Kenyans should forget all our differences and rally behind a fellow Kenyan. If Raila has expressed interest, we would rather have him there because when he is there, the interests of Kenya are taken care of. We as a government fully support his candidature,” he said.

Azimio principals have also endorsed the coalition chief’s resolve to contest the African Union Commission chairmanship.

Meanwhile President William Ruto’s aide has come forward to defend Kenya Kwanza’s decision to support opposition leader Raila Odinga for the African Union (AU) chairperson position.

Speaking in Nandi, Kibet clarified that their endorsement is not rooted in fear for 2027 general election but rather a desire to see him play a transformative role on the continental stage.

He said there was a need for the Azimio leader to transcend local political divides and ensure a peaceful retirement.

According to Kibet, supporting Raila’s bid for the position aligns with a broader vision of fostering unity and collaboration beyond national borders.

“We are not supporting him because we fear him,” he said.

“We are supporting him as a gift so that God can see us as generous people like other Kenyans. They should not see us as cowards, how can we fear a person that we defeated the other time?” he questioned.

He also told off some of his allies who he said are opposed to Raila’s candidature instead of supporting him.

“Sisi hatutaki hasara ya kila siku ashindwe aseme ameibiwa. Sijui mwizi anakuwanga wapi katikati ya hii kura. (We no longer want him to lose then come back to claim votes have been stolen. We do not where this thief is in every election circle),” he said.

Kibet emphasized Ruto and Raila are friends and the move reflects a commitment to promoting statesmanship over partisanship.

He further stated that this showcases the willingness to break traditional political norms for the greater good.

Raila’s unexpected endorsement for the job especially from Ruto’s camp has continued to spark discussions.

Migori Senator Eddie Oketch has claimed that government’s push to have the former Prime Minister in charge of the AU is a strategy to stop him from fighting for Kenyans.

Raila has already received the backing from former Nigeria president and AU Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo.

“We believe that people who have held the positions of head of government like at PM level will be able to knock on the door of incumbent PMs, Presidents without much ado. Such people would probably be the right persons armed with other attributes at this particular time,” he said.