Raila’s Shift: Dialing Down Ruto Critiques Amid AU Ambitions
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has changed his political strategies as he seeks the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) appears to have softened his opposition toward the government, focusing more on his candidacy for a regional position while also advocating for the rejuvenation of his party.
Mr. Odinga’s most recent appearance at a public gathering occurred on March 9 in the Kibra constituency. This event came just two days after he spearheaded the ODM membership recruitment campaign in Wajir County.
Since that time, he has opted for a quiet demeanor focused on study, allowing fellow coalition partners to manage affairs in the local political arena.
Despite Mr. Odinga’s decision to halt the opposition’s protests against the government to explore dialogue opportunities, he introduced a fresh strategy aimed at addressing what he described as the “oversteps” of the Kenya Kwanza administration. This new approach concentrates on uncovering instances of corruption and initiating legal challenges to counteract them.
All of these appear to have quieted down, with the absence of the ODM leader’s regular media briefings in which he typically scrutinized “ineffective government policies.”
For example, he expressed concern about the purchase of petroleum products through the government-to-government agreement between Kenya and Saudi Arabia by raising a warning signal.
“There was no G-to-G. Kenya did not sign any contracts with Saudi Arabia or the UAE. Only the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum signed a deal with state-owned petroleum companies in the Middle East,” he said.
He added: “Why Ruto chose to characterize the deal as a G-to-G is the first red flag that points to mischief in this deal.”
Last year, Mr. Odinga, represented by his legal advisor Paul Mwangi, sent letters to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Auditor-General, and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, urging an investigation into the issue.
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Yesterday, Mr Mwangi told Gossipa2z.com that the three institutions never responded.
“Nobody has even acknowledged the letter. The chairman of EACC promised, on JKL [TV show], to respond to Mzee’s letter but hasn’t. We are still waiting for a response,” he said.
Asked why Mr Odinga has taken a low profile, he said: “He has been away for several days but should be back anytime now.”
Mr. Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango yesterday told Gossipa2z.com that there have been concerns that Mr. Odinga is ‘overworking and needs to slow down’.
“Most people around the PM (Mr Odinga) have been concerned that he is overworking and over-stretching and that he needs to slow down to catch his breath. When he declared interest in AU, another concern emerged that he needed to take time off local politics and focus on AU which is more urgent given that the election is months, not years, away,” Mr Onyango said.
He said Mr Odinga is convinced of the need to take a break and focus on the AU job and agenda which is ‘quite different from our local politics’.
“He reluctantly agreed and took a break. During this break, he is meeting and talking with leaders that matter on the AU mission,” added Mr Onyango.
Mr. Odinga originally planned to deliver a keynote address at today’s Kakamega International Investment Conference at Masinde Muliro University. However, according to reports from Nation, it has been confirmed that he will be absent as he is currently abroad.
Opiyo Wandayi, the Minority Leader in the National Assembly, is anticipated to attend the event on behalf of Mr. Odinga.
A person familiar with Mr. Odinga’s strategy informed the Nation yesterday that he has decided to reduce the intensity of his ‘aggressive campaigns against the government’.
“These guys are campaigning for him. He won’t tell them off, at least forcefully, as he used to do,” the source said.
Political analysts believe that Mr. Odinga has been compelled to reconsider his approach because of the critical nature of the AUC position.
“One of the key success factors for the job is remaining sensitive and aligning to African presidents and Heads of State expectations to secure their support,” Mr Mokua said.
This, he noted, is why Mr Odinga has to restrain himself from local politics.
“Silence is a key pillar in message discipline. Unnecessary public statements can potentially compromise his capacity to secure African presidents and Heads of State votes,” he added.
Presidential candidate Jimi Wanjigi expressed his support for Mr. Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission, but he criticized the ODM leader for neglecting the traditional role of the opposition in advocating for the people’s interests.
“What I don’t understand, however, is why since his declaration, the people’s agenda, which we were made to believe his coalition was championing, has been put on hold, and now the focus is on if and when he takes the seat, who is going to benefit and how,” Mr Wanjigi said.
However, Professor Macharia Munene from United States International University asserts that Mr. Odinga has not undergone a transformation, but rather is focusing on what he perceives to be his interests.
“He is consistent in looking after his perceived interests which goes with what deal he can cut with those wielding power,” Prof Munene said.
Professor Gitile Naituli from Multimedia University asserts that Mr. Odinga’s decision to refrain from criticizing the government is justified.
“He wants the State support so he cannot at the same time continue criticizing the same government. Maybe when he gets there, things may be different,” Prof Naituli told Nation.
He says it is the turn of other opposition leaders to step into Mr Odinga’s shoes.
“They should identify the needs of society and be their mouthpiece. Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi is doing extremely well as he seems to have picked the leadership baton,” Prof Naituli said.
Raila’s Shift: Dialing Down Ruto Critiques Amid AU Ambitions
