Former Mukurweini legislator Kabando wa Kabando has urged Raila Odinga to rethink pursuing the role of African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, suggesting he should instead focus on efforts to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 elections.
In a post on X, Kabando claimed that leaders associated with the Kenya Kwanza movement are already taunting them saying their chances of winning are more.
Arguably, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale had shared a poll on which leader from the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance would contest alongside President Ruto come 2027.
He wrote, “Raila’s pursuit for AU job a watershed in Kenya’s nascent democracy. It’s already making Ruto’s regime blackmail Azimio leaderships in turn for state support/funds in bid. Ruto surrogates already ridiculing Raila. I think he’d reconsider, akae hapa tumtimue Zakayo before 2027!”
Additionally, he argued that the if Mr Odinga did not clinch onto the job, he would miss out on the lucrative position and be compromised from ever posing as a credible opposition.
“If Raila fails to clinch the coveted post – a possible outcome – he’ll be doubly damaged; miss out on the esteemed stature he’d have got as AU Commission Chair, and then get compromised from ever posing credible opposition to Ruto.”
However, he opined that if Mr Odinga won the AU chairmanship it would be fine but still had undertones of foul play from the Head of State whom has in previous time blamed Mr Odinga, and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta for Kenya’s problems.
The AUC chairmanship serves a term of four years, with the possibility of one re-election. The selection process involves a secret ballot and requires a two-thirds majority vote from the member states that are eligible to participate.
If Mr Odinga were to be successful in his bid, his term would conclude in 2028, which is one year following the upcoming General Election. However, experts note that he has the option to step down from the AUC role to pursue the presidency in 2027.
Currently, the incumbent AUC Chairperson is Moussa Faki Mahamat, a former foreign minister of Chad, who secured his position in January 2017 and was re-elected for a second term in February 2021. His tenure is scheduled to end in February 2025.
By Nairobi