Raila for Prime Minister? Kenya Kwanza mulls leadership reshuffle after AUC loss
Kenya Kwanza leaders are scrambling to find a suitable role for Raila Odinga in government following his defeat in the African Union Commission (AUC) elections, underscoring the political complexities of accommodating the opposition stalwart.
Speaking during a televised interview on Monday, February 17, 2025, Belgut MP Nelson Koech emphasized that the ruling coalition must find a place for Raila, citing his experience and political influence.
“I am not thinking there will be any changes, but I think, like the President said, this should give birth to another moment. In politics, when you are confronted with such a statement, it’s something huge,” Koech remarked.
“Raila Odinga is coming back home. What would Raila Odinga be doing with his energy, with his wisdom, with his experience? I think we in Kenya Kwanza should accommodate him. That experience, that advice, and the counsel that he would give us would help in bettering our country, our society, and our management,” he added.
Reviving NADCO report
Koech suggested revisiting the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report to explore possible solutions.
The NADCO Report, a product of negotiations between former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration and the opposition, sought to address governance and constitutional reforms following the disputed 2022 elections.
“We have to find a structure that will accommodate him – Raila Odinga. Whichever position that accommodates him, we have to find that position. We could relook at the NADCO report,” Koech proposed.
“Whichever structure that accommodates honourable Raila Odinga to continue doing his job I think… We would probably look at the NADCO report and see what the NADCO report says,” he added.
Prime Minister
Koech went a step further by floating the idea of creating a Prime Minister post for Raila Odinga, a suggestion that reignites discussions about a possible constitutional amendment.
“We could even do better by having the office of the Prime Minister,” he stated.
When asked about the fate of Musalia Mudavadi, the current Prime Cabinet Secretary, Koech dismissed any concerns, emphasizing that Mudavadi’s position was distinct from a Prime Minister’s role.
“He’s not a Prime Minister; he’s a Prime Cabinet Secretary. But I am just saying, I am having a wild thought,” Koech clarified.
AUC elections
Raila Odinga’s loss in the AUC elections on February 15, 2025, dealt a significant blow to his ambitions on the continental stage.
The veteran politician was defeated by Djibouti’s candidate, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, in a closely contested vote held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Despite initially leading in the first two rounds of voting, Raila ultimately lost traction, allowing Youssouf to clinch the position after securing the required two-thirds majority in the seventh round.
In the first round, Raila garnered 20 votes against Youssouf’s 18, with Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato obtaining 10. One vote was abstained. The second round saw Raila gain 22 votes, Youssouf 19, and Randriamandrato seven, with one abstention.
However, Raila’s momentum faltered in the third round, where he secured 20 votes, while Youssouf surged to 23. Randriamandrato, with five votes, was eliminated.
The fourth round saw Youssouf extend his lead to 25 votes against Raila’s 21, with one abstention and one spoilt vote. By the fifth round, Youssouf maintained his lead with 26 votes against Raila’s 21.
In the sixth round, Youssouf garnered 26 votes, Raila 22, and one nation abstained. With Raila failing to surpass his rival, he was eliminated from the race, allowing Youssouf to win in the seventh round unopposed, securing the AUC chairmanship.
Youssouf is set to succeed outgoing AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki of Chad, who has served for the past eight years.
Political crossroads for Raila
With his continental aspirations dashed, Raila Odinga’s political future remains uncertain. As Kenya Kwanza leaders ponder his possible integration into government, the move could reshape the country’s political landscape, especially with the 2027 general elections on the horizon.
Whether through a constitutional amendment, a special advisory role, or an executive appointment, accommodating Raila will be a delicate balancing act for President William Ruto’s administration.
For now, all eyes remain on the next political manoeuvre in what promises to be yet another chapter in Kenya’s ever-evolving political theatre.
osition for eight years.
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Martin Oduor
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