NEP leaders urge Ruto to push for Raila's AUC bid

A group of MPs from Northeastern have pleaded with President William Ruto to push for Raila Odinga's candidature for the chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC).

The MPs were Salah yakub(Fafi), Adan Keynan (Eldas), Abdikadir Hussein(Lagdera), and Dekow Mohamed(Garissa Township).

Others were Aden Daud( Wajir East), Abdul Harro(Mandera South)Yussuf Farah(Wajir West), Abdi Ali(Ijara), Udgoon Siyad(Garissa county woman representative) and Dominic Letepila [Samburu West].

Last week, the opposition chief officially declared his interest in the African Union (AU) Commission chairmanship.

Speaking to the media in Nairobi, the former prime minister said he is ready to serve in that position, having previously held the position of AU High Representative for Infrastructure.

Raila said that serving as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure gave him the advantage of learning about each African country.

The NEP MPs said Raila is a statesman who meets all the qualifications for the job.

Keynan said that Odinga was a viable candidate who if elected would be of great help to the region.

Keynan who is the longest-serving MP said that he was so far impressed by the support Raila has so far received from leaders from across the political divide.

"Politics aside we are first and foremost Kenyans and we have to support one of our own when he is seeking a regional seat. In Odinga, we have a candidate who understands the continent very well and its challenges. I am sure he will deliver," he said.

He added:

“We seriously need a person with experience, a person who understands this region very well. A person who comes from a background that can make a difference." 

On his part, Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein said that the time was ripe for the seat to be occupied by a person from East Africa.

He said that Raila being a seasoned politician has gained enough experience to take up the seat which he said requires a person with vast knowledge on African issues.

“Time has come for His Excellency Raila Odinga to pass on the baton to other leaders who are capable of taking over from him. Let his vast experience be put to good use at the African Union,” he said.

On his part, MP Harro while supporting the Azimio party leader's bid called on him to retire from local politics and support the Kenya Kwanza government.

“From where I sit, this is a very good retirement exit for him in our local politics. So my appeal to him is to whip his troops to support President Ruto as a good gesture. I Don’t think that is asking for too much," he said.

"I am looking forward to seeing my party leader occupy the seat when the time comes. He is a Kenyan who meets all the necessary qualifications and so as leaders let us put our party differences aside and fully support his bid."