Age and Responsibilities: Why Peter Kagwanja Urges Raila Odinga to Withdraw from AU Chair Race
Governance specialist Peter Kagwanja has advised ODM leader Raila Odinga to withdraw from the competition for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.
During an appearance on KTN News on Wednesday, March 6, Kagwanja contended that Raila’s older age might not be advantageous for him to assume the role of AUC chairperson.
Why Raila Odinga should quit the race for the AU job
As per the legal expert, the majority of AU summit gatherings take place during early hours like 3 am or 4 am, which could pose challenges for the ODM leader due to his older age.
Kagwanja suggested that the ex-prime minister ought to be encouraged to seek alternative opportunities, indicating that accepting the AU position would essentially equate to self-imposed exile.
“It is not to take a CEO’s job that requires 24 hours in a day. And this is what AU is. Summits 3 am and 4am. Raila will be 80 years old, one month by the time he is voted in. And he has four years. Is this the right choice to be a CEO at almost 81 years? Let people advise the former prime minister to look for something useful, not to send him to exile at his age,” Kagwanja said.
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Kagwanja minimized the enthusiasm surrounding the role of the AUC chairperson, suggesting that its prestige is not as significant as it appears to be.
As per the academic, the individual in the position will be receiving directives from two other entities, effectively labeling them as a “messenger” or “go-between.”
“We’ve got the head of state, the summit chair, and the AU executive, which is like a Cabinet. The CEO, who chairs the commission, takes orders from these two groups. So, essentially, this person is like an errand boy, and people are taking it out of proportion,” he stated.
Age and Responsibilities: Why Peter Kagwanja Urges Raila Odinga to Withdraw from AU Chair Race