KENYA : Leaders allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party gathered in Kakamega on Sunday, February 9, to pray for Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa hosted the leaders who expressed confidence that Raila will be elected as the Chairman of AUC.
“Let’s pray for Raila Odinga because we have always been almost there, starting in 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022, but this time round all of us have confidence that our party leader, who is the champion of devolution, will be elected on Saturday,” Governor Barasa noted.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga urged ODM leaders who are still harsh critics of the government to go slow and support the broad-based government.
Wanga said since the ODM party joined the broad-based government, the Nyanza region had benefitted from various infrastructural developments, hence the need to support the government.
According to Wanga, it is not appropriate for leaders from ODM to criticise the leadership of President Ruto after the party's top leadership, including Mr. John Mbadi, Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, were appointed into the cabinet.
“We have decided to cooperate with the government because we have started benefiting from it through infrastructural growth in this region,” she said.
Meanwhile, Raila promised to accept the election outcome, win or lose, emphasizing that Kenya will have made a statement regardless of the result.
Raila Odinga expressed confidence in his chances while urging his supporters to remain calm.
He affirmed that he would graciously return home if he does not win the election.
“By God’s grace, I know I shall win. If we succeed, we shall be winners; if we lose, we shall still be winners,” Raila said.
Raila is vying for the AUC chairmanship, with the election set to take place on February 15 during the Ordinary Session of the Heads of State meeting in Addis Ababa.
To secure victory, he will need the support of two-thirds of the 55 AU member states, translating to at least 33 votes.
Raila is competing for the position alongside Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
If successful, he will succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki and assume the esteemed role of steering Africa’s development agenda.