Raila’s Exit From Local Politics Will be a Blow to Opposition – MP Koech
Belgut Member of Parliament, Nelson Koech, has described the potential departure of Raila Odinga from national politics as a setback for the opposition in the country.
Addressing Citizen TV on Monday, the lawmaker expressed that if Raila were to secure the AU chairmanship position and withdraw from domestic politics, it would significantly impact the opposition in the nation.
Koech mentioned that Raila is a resilient political figure who has endured over time and has contributed significantly to the advancement of the country’s democratic system.
“The exiting of Raila from our local politics deals a huge blow to the opposition of this country because without him in all fairness and with all due respect the opposition is deemed to be very limited if there will be any,” Koech said.
“In the history of this country, there is no political survivor who has withstood time like Raila; he has given value to our democracy, given value to our debate and national discourse.”
As per the Member of Parliament, the opposition leader is the most qualified candidate for the AU seat, possessing all the necessary attributes to be considered a strong contender for the position.
He pointed out that even though the nation strongly supports Raila, there is still a considerable amount of work that needs to be accomplished, both by the government and Raila personally.
“We are not safe, there is a lot of work that has to be done by both the government and by Raila himself, it is not easy, it is a campaign that I don’t see Kenya government losing,” he said.
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ODM party member Fred Odumo stated on Saturday that the party will endure, regardless of whether its leader successfully takes on the role of the African Union Commission chairperson in Addis Ababa.
Odumo referred to those spreading the idea that ODM will collapse once Raila assumes the position of AU chairperson as purveyors of misinformation.
The attorney asserts that the party possesses established frameworks that will guide in the event of Raila departing to work in another sector.
“Raila has a right like any other candidate to seek the position and the ODM party will not hold him back fearing a vacuum,” he said.
He observed that the party would persist and carry on with its operations without any disruptions.
On Friday, Defense CS Aden Duale announced that the government will offer complete support to Raila’s candidacy for the position of Chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC).
The ex-prime minister expressed his willingness to assume the role, citing his prior experience as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure.
“I am inclined to accept the challenge and I am ready and I offer myself to be of service. I have asked my friend (Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo to continue to be a good ambassador and talk to other people,” Raila said.
Duale expressed that it was now the opportune moment for someone from East Africa to take the seat, praising Raila as an excellent national leader.
Raila’s Exit From Local Politics Will be a Blow to Opposition – MP Koech
