The Star edition of February 14, 2023, reported that former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been appointed by the African Union Commission to chair the AU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria.
The West African economic powerhouse will hold its presidential election later this month.
Uhuru's appointment is not only a vote of confidence in his ability to execute continental assignments but also a recognition of his democratic credentials for two reasons.
First, it comes after the retired president resisted immense pressure to stage a democratic coup; he peacefully transferred power to his successor following a hotly contested presidential election.
Second, the appointment to lead the AU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria follows his appointment by President William Ruto as the peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
These are noble continental assignments whose duty-bearer's integrity must be beyond reproach.
However, the former president risks losing credibility for these assignments because of his entanglement in the murky waters of our domestic politics.
After Kenya's August 2022 general election, the dissatisfied party (for which Uhuru vigorously campaigned) sought recourse at the Supreme Court where a unanimous decision was rendered declaring the election as having been free, fair, and transparent, and that Ruto was validly elected president.
Consequently, Uhuru handed over power to his successor in accordance with the Constitution.
It is therefore unwise for the President Emeritus to turn back and support Azimio leader Raila Odinga in his potentially subversive activities that are undermining our institutional democracy, national unity, peace and political stability.
Taking such a stance places Uhuru deeply in partisan national politics and he may not be seen as a neutral, nonpartisan election observer or an objective peace envoy.
Because what Raila is pursuing borders on anarchy and disruption of peace, Uhuru's participation in the former's pursuits contradicts his status as a peace envoy.
If the former president wants to cultivate a true image of a statesman ready for extra national duties, he must rise above Raila's plan to destabilise Kenya and the East African region.
Instead, Uhuru should help the nation to build trust in our democratic and governance institutions such as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Supreme Court.
The starting point for Uhuru to cut links with Raila's agitation should be to resign from the leadership of any political formation and denounce Raila's quest to claw back the democratic gains that we have made.
Uhuru can then confine himself to offering counsel to the political class and making occasional pronouncements on matters of national or continental importance.
His preoccupation should be the promotion of peace, stability and security in the region. Any attempt to destabilise Kenya will have far-reaching consequences in the Eastern Africa region.
But they say political adventure is driven by selfish interests and Uhuru understands his interests much better than any of us. It is his call.
Communications and PR expert
