Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on his Nyanza backyard to remain united and continue with regular consultations even as the African Union Commission (AUC) elections draw closer.
Speaking on Saturday, January 11, 2025, Raila rallied his home tuff to shun divisive politics and remain peaceful regardless of the election’s outcome.
The former Prime Minister who spoke at a funeral indicated that nothing was wrong even if he failed to clinch the AUC chairmanship bid.
He made it clear that he would retreat and continue serving the people. Nonetheless, Raila remained optimistic, insisting that his win at the AUC election would help steer prosperity in Kenya and the entire continent.
“When the vote has been cast, we will know whether I have won or not. If we win it is okay and even if we don’t win, there is nothing wrong,” Raila stated,
“Am I not just here? If I do not win, I will be going nowhere… If I win, it is good because I will work there and do so many things that will even help us here. If I lose, will I not just be here with you and do everything together as a community?” Raila added.
The AUC elections are scheduled to take place in February 2025 during the AU Union Summit. Since the start of his campaigns, the former Prime Minister managed to meet with several heads of state with some endorsing his candidature.
Countries which have so far agreed to back his candidature include DRC, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, Burundi, Seychelles, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Algeria and the Republic of the Congo.
Raila is running for the seat against Djibouti’s foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former Madagascar’s foreign minister Richard James Randriamandrato.
President William Ruto has been at the forefront of campaigning for the former prime minister maintaining that Raila’s leadership will foster peace across the continent, effectively manage conflicts and unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
“We are very confident that the successful bid of Hon Raila is going to see the fortunes of our continent change for the better going into the future,” he said during the 4th edition of the Piny Luo Cultural Festival in Bondo, Siaya County.
Raila on abductions
At the same time, he reiterated his call against abductions calling on the government to bring an end to the vice.
“The ills that were happening last year must end with last year. Ruto also said he will ensure the issue of abductions end, did he not say it himself?” Raila posed.
In December 2024, Raila was vocal asking Ruto to intervene and end abductions in the country this was after several critics disappeared for weeks.
In January, some of the missing persons re-united with their families with most of them remaining mum over what transpired.
