•Raila last week made a surprise announcement of his bid for the position of African Union Commission Chairperson.
•Since the announcement, the opposition chief has garnered endorsements from various sectors/
Image: LEAH MUKANGAI
Third Away Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot has urged the Opposition leader Raila Odinga not to get involved in politics if he gets the position of African Union Commission Chairperson.
In a statement on Sunday, Aukot said that Raila should take his new job as a retirement gift.
"Jakom ( Raila), if you get it, appreciate it as a retirement benefit. There is no need to come back to local and national politics," he said on X platform.
The Third Away Alliance leader further asked Raila to appoint a successor, who would take after him in the political arena.
This according to Aukot will be the hallmark of a good leader
"You need to be magnanimous enough and anoint a successor in both the ODM party and Luo Nyanza. Don't waste that chance," he said.
Raila last week made a surprise announcement of his bid for the position of African Union Commission Chairperson.
If endorsed for the seat, he will technically be edged out of Kenya's political landscape and the next General Election since he will be required to serve in the position until 2028.
Raila will also only retain his rights to vote in Kenya as a citizen but his hands will be tied and he will not take part in active politics.
Since the announcement, the opposition chief has garnered endorsements from various sectors, marking a pivotal moment in the journey of one of Kenya's most esteemed politicians vying for a leadership role on the African stage.
The government on Sunday said it fully backs opposition leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the top African Union (AU) Commission job.
Speaking during a press conference, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura described it as a defining moment for the nation and urged all leaders to put aside their political differences and rally behind Odinga.
“If he gets an opportunity to serve us at the AU as the chair, we as Kenyans forget all our differences and rally behind a fellow Kenya. If Odinga has expressed interest, we would rather have him there because when he is there the interests of Kenya are taken care of. We as a government fully support his candidature,” he said.
On Saturday, the ruling party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) threw its weight behind the former premier, terming him as a statesman and ‘a luminary in African politics.’
“The right Honourable Raila Odinga is undoubtedly an African luminary of unmatched capability. We join many across the continent in restating that Honorable Odinga deserved the AU chairmanship given his distinguished accolades and contribution to the social-political landscape of the East African Region and Africa as a whole,” Malala said.