• Raila on Friday accused the government on incompetence in managing the floods.
• Ruto has been in the forefront in campaigning for Raila in the continent
Image: KIMANI ICHUNG'WAH
Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s quest for AU chairmanship faced new headwinds over the weekend after backlash over his attack on the government.
Raila, who is banking on the President's vote to realise his AU dream, on Friday accused President William Ruto’s administration of incompetence in managing the floods.
“Even if they are given 10 more years, they can’t deliver,” he said while distributing food to flood victims in Nairobi.
The ODM leader had toned down his anti-government stance since February.
He said the President should declare floods a national disaster.
"The ministers are not competent and have no experience in running the government," he said.
“The people calling themselves CSs of Health, Education and Public Service are all useless. We have a problem because the driver does not know where the steering wheel is located.”
Ruto's allies hit back on Saturday in Teson North, Busia county.
They warned of repercussions should the Opposition chief continue with his attacks on the Kenya Kwanza government.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah accused Raila of fighting the President, who is rallying the continent for his AUC candidature.
“If you were to be helped my brother, humble yourself because the position we are campaigning for you led by William Ruto is a position that calls for humility and respect across the entire continent and the world,” the Kikuyu MPs said.
“Be humble and respect your chief campaigner Ruto, who is campaigning for you.”
Ruto recently secured crucial support for Raila, who is viewed as a front-runner in the race that has attracted two other candidates.
Senate Majority Leader Aaaron Cheruiyot said Raila's utterances may end up frustrating his AU bid.
“Please be a decent gentleman and respect the fact that we are doing a magnanimous thing by holding your hand to ensure you are the chair of AUC,” he said.
“He is out here insulting a man they all hold in such high regard. On elections day, when they evaluate his credentials, how do you imagine it will end?”
Raila’s inner circle said the ODM boss will keep putting the government on its toes.
Raila’s personal lawyer Paul Mwangi said most Kenyans prefer that he concentrate on Kenya.
“I can tell you that the AU job is not a life-and-death deal for Baba (Raila). He would not sell his soul for it,” Mwangi posted on his X account.
“Secondly, I wish you knew how many Kenyans out there are so unhappy about the AU job that they would believe God answered their prayers if Baba didn’t get it.”
The development comes at a time there are speculations that a powerful western nation has shifted its support and is instead supporting a candidate sponsored by a neighbouring nation.
Raila is in a race with two other candidates from the Eastern block.
The two are Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs minister Mahmoud Youssouf and Somalia’s former deputy prime minister and current member of the Federal Parliament Fawzia Yusuf.
The elections to find the next occupant at the AU top job will take place in February 2025, when Chad's Moussa Faki, the current chairperson, exits after his two-term tenure.
In the polls, chairmanship is ringfenced for the Eastern Africa region, while Northern Africa will front the vice chairperson.