Dance, dinner and talk: How Raila spent his night in Addis after AUC chairmanship election loss
By Lutta Njomo, February 16, 2025Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga did not confine himself after he was defeated by Djibouti’s candidate Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship race.
Having pronounced himself on several occasions indicating that the AUC seat was not a matter of life and death, Raila went all out including joining a handful of Kenyan delegations which had flocked to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in anticipation of the poll outcome to a dance.
As Raila made his way to a hall where a closed-door dinner was being held, the Kenyan delegation chanted his name compelling him to pull his signature dance moves.
He looked great in spirits as he even shook hands with some of the people before taking photos with them freely. Raila set a jovial mood in Addis shifting away from his known rhetoric of contesting election losses and threatening to take particular actions.
The closed-door interaction allowed Raila to appreciate the Kenyan delegation which had thrown its weight behind his candidature and flown to Addis Ababa to witness the historic feat, which however slipped from Kenya’s sight after several rounds of voting.
Closed-door dinner
After initial interaction and photo sessions, the Kenyan delegation retreated to their tables where they dined together with Raila.
They were joined by President William Ruto, part of his cabinet, other government officials and Raila’s secretariat.
Ruto in his speech, lauded Raila for who he carried out his campaign insisting that he made him proud. He also added that the continent missed an opportunity to be served by the finest leader.
“I am disappointed that Raila Amollo Odinga did not win because he was the best candidate, they missed an opportunity to be served by the finest,” Ruto said during the dinner session.
“Baba made me very proud. He was available when needed,” he added amidst cheers from the crowd.
Baba has been in a great mood this evening in Addis. pic.twitter.com/rRhKt3Mvd5
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) February 15, 2025
Raila’s concession speech
Earlier, the President congratulated the newly elected AUC leadership team, Mahmoud Youssouf as Chairperson and Selma Haddadi as Deputy Chairperson, pledging Kenya’s full support for the incoming administration.
“To their Excellencies Mahmoud Youssouf and Selma Haddadi, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission, I extend my sincere congratulations. You have the trust of the AU Assembly, and Kenya pledges her full support to you as you steer the African Union Commission to the next level,” he wrote.
On his side, Raila conceded defeat and reaffirmed his availability to serve the continent in other capacities.
“When you go to a contest, there can only be two outcomes—you can win or you can lose. So this is one of them,” Raila said.
“Therefore, I am not bitter; I am very happy indeed. I am still available to offer services to the continent in any other capacity,” he added.
Regarding his future plans, Raila hinted at a return to Kenyan politics.
“My plan now is to go back home. I have numerous things to do there,” he said.