ODM in Chaos as Raila Eyes African Union Chair
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), is facing a new challenge within his party as his followers become split over his recent bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.
After announcing his candidacy on Thursday, February 15, Raila has garnered support for the AU position, not only from political rivals within the Kenya Kwanza administration but also from former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
In the Azimio faction, he garnered backing from advocates such as Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, who reiterated that Raila is a suitable candidate for the position.
“This is a welcome decision considering the vast experience that Odinga has on matters of the African Continent and why Africa needs to be moved to the next level of economic reliance,” Owino stated.
“Odinga is a Pan-Africanist, a peacemaker, and a man who has a penchant for good leadership and governance. He believes Africa will be emancipated politically, socially, and economically if African leaders pull in one direction and hold on to one agenda, a United Africa.”
Alternatively, various political figures have expressed a contrasting view, alleging that the Kenya Kwanza administration is scheming to compel the former prime minister to withdraw from domestic politics as the nation prepares for the 2027 General Election.
“The AU Chairmanship campaign might be structured to fail to embarrass Baba Raila Odinga. I don’t trust Kenya Kwanza on this,” Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai commented on his social platform on Friday, February 16.
“It might be Kenya Kwanza fishing for new insults to throw Baba’s way with a campaign they strategically want to fail.”
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Furthermore, Nuru Okanga, an ardent supporter of ODM, expressed to Gossipa2z that the issue should be entrusted to the Kenyan public for resolution via a participatory forum.
“Those thinking that they will blackmail Raila into accepting the AU job, we will not allow it. If he gets the job, where does that leave us as a country?” he posed.
“We don’t want him to go to AU, but be the next president so others thinking that they can create confusion to hound him out of politics will not be allowed.
“It’s not his choice, it’s us Kenyans to decide. He should involve Kenyans in public participation so that we make the ultimate decision,” Okanga added.
Raila is aspiring to take over the position of AU chairperson, currently held by the former Prime Minister of Chad, Moussa Faki Mahamat, whose term is set to conclude this year. If Raila is elected, he will be prohibited from participating in domestic politics until his term in the AU expires.
At the time of publishing this article, Azimio coalition principals, including Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (Narc-Kenya), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya), and Peter Munya (PNU), had not yet disclosed their position on the matter.
ODM in Chaos as Raila Eyes African Union Chair