Raila’s Surprising Kakamega Investment Conference Snub: Here’s Why
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, will not be present at the ongoing Kakamega County Investment Conference, which is expected to conclude on Friday.
It has been noted that Raila has shifted his approach from being confrontational and assertive in politics to adopting a more diplomatic stance as he pursues the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Viewed as a particularly delicate diplomatic role, experts suggest that Raila would inevitably be compelled to withdraw from active involvement in the country’s politics due to the rigorous demands of the position, including during campaign periods.
Gossipa2z.com has confirmed that Raila will be absent from the conference as he is currently abroad, working to persuade leaders across the continent to endorse his candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Raila has reduced his public appearances in the country since declaring his candidacy for the top position at the AU.
On Thursday, Raila will have representation at the event through Opiyo Wandayi, the National Assembly Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ugunja.
Raila’s representative, Dennis Onyango, verified that his superior would be absent from the conference, which concludes by the end of the week.
“He(Raila) is out of the country but will be represented by Opiyo Wandayi,’’ Onyango told Gossipa2z.com in a text message.
The decision to assign Wandayi with the duty of standing in for Raila will be closely monitored by other politicians eager to take over as the ODM leader.
The leader of Azimio was scheduled to speak at the conference on Thursday, following President William Ruto’s speech, which marked the official opening of the conference.
Raila is currently abroad as he endeavors to garner support from various heads of state for his candidacy for the AU position, in anticipation of the elections scheduled for next February.
President William Ruto was the principal attendee at the conference, alongside key government officials and partners, aiming to attract investors to the Western Kenya county.
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On Wednesday, Ruto declared that the government would allocate 5.8 billion Kenyan shillings towards the continuation of the Kakamega Gold Refinery project in the Ikolomani constituency.
He also outlined a plan to reform the sugar industry in Western Kenya.
“Let me confirm to the people of Kakamega that we are going to reform our sugar sector. Our reform process is underway and what we have wanted to do for the last 25 years we must conclude this year,” he said.
This marks Raila’s inaugural absence from a significant occasion organized by a governor aligned with his ODM party.
This might indicate his forthcoming relaxed attitude as he concentrates on his role in the African Union Commission, stepping back quietly from intense local political involvement.
Raila led key ODM figures to the Homa Bay Investment Conference on February 28, while the following day, President Ruto also spoke at the event.
It has been revealed that Raila has opted to ease up on his criticism of the Kenya Kwanza government, delegating his supporters to lead the charge while he focuses on campaigning for the AU position.
On Tuesday, Wandayi, along with prominent ODM leaders and MPs, called for the government to release complete capitation funds for schools.
They spoke to the media at the Parliament Buildings, lending support to the idea that Raila has withdrawn.
Raila’s most recent public appearance for ODM engagements was on March 8 and 9, during which he spearheaded party recruitment initiatives in Wajir County and participated in another event in the Kibra constituency.
Experts suggest that Raila has had to alter his strategy due to the delicate nature of the AUC position, particularly following the support from President Ruto and leaders in the region.
“He wants state support, so he cannot at the same time continue criticizing the same government. Maybe when he gets there, things will be different,” Professor Gitule Naituli of Multimedia University said.
Raila’s Surprising Kakamega Investment Conference Snub: Here’s Why
