AU Job Is Not A Matter Of Life And Death For Raila, His Lawyer Says

In what could add to speculations stemming from opposition leader Raila Odinga’s defiant remarks on Friday, his lawyer Paul Mwangi has said the continental job being dangled by his opponents is not that important.

“I can tell you that the AU job is not a life and death deal for Baba. He would not sell his soul for it.”Mwangi said.

He went further to insinuate that the opposition leader could be weighing his options and rethinking his choice of going for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairman position. According to the former prime minister’s lawyer, the move by Raila is unpopular among his followers that they would celebrate if he lost.

“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.” He said.

Mwangi was responding to Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot who had called out Raila over what he said were unwarranted attacks in president William Ruto who has been at the forefront in campaigning for his AUC candidature.

Cheruiyot warned Raila from attacking Ruto saying he’s highly regarded by his peers who will be crucial in voting for him in the scheduled February 2025 AU elections. He insinuated that Raila should to the line and pledge his allegiance to Ruto.

“Tinga’s constituency now is African Presidents .
They hold the key to his next election. He is out here insulting a man they all hold in such high regard.
On election day, when they evaluate his credentials, how do you imagine it will end? Maandamano in Addis?” He said.

Raila attacks Ruto

The Azimio Leader who was distributing food and non-food items to flood victims in Mukuru Kwa Njenga on Friday, took a swipe at Ruto’s administration saying the president has failed Kenyans.

With the floods ravaging the country and with over 250 persons reportedly dead in the floods across the country, Raila accused the president of sleeping on the job due to the government’s failure to prevent the loss of life and property witnessed in recent weeks.

“They knew the rain was coming but they took no action. They should have been emptying dams long before they filled up and dredged the Nairobi dam. They made no consideration about drainage,” the former premier said.

Raila Odinga when he was flagging off the donations to flood victims in Mukuru kwa Reuben on Friday.

He said the havoc witnessed pointed to incompetence within government, and endemic corruption.

“Zakayo (President Ruto) is lost… The driver cannot locate the steering wheel, gear or clutch,” Raila stated, faulting the government’s response as reactionary.

He urged the president to shelve the mandatory relocation plans in some of Nairobi’s estates, warning of protests if the government were to demolish houses in affected areas.

“It makes no sense to demolish houses here in Mukuru without first providing alternatives by building houses for those affected. People are not animals to be migrated in such an inhumane manner,” he said.

Raila advised President Ruto to declare the ongoing flood crisis a national disaster to enhance the level of response.

The former prime minister said only such a move would unlock aid from foreign nations in fighting the crisis, even as he faulted the government’s response.

Reactions

Adding to the voices of many, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi who is also a very close ally of Azimio leader, appears to resonate with others who are against his AUC bid. He says Ruto’s support for Raila is to get rid of him from the local politics and adds that the dangled position is unpopular with his supporters.

“Kenya Kwanza, confused lieutenants are highly disappointed that Raila Odinga is criticising the government. Ruto is running helterskelter around Africa not to give raila a job but to get rid of him from the political scene so that Kenyans can be molested properly. Verily verily i say unto you ,9 out of 10 kenyans do not want baba to go to AU because of this reason. In the meantime, disagreement on who get what tender, when and how, is soon cutting UDA into 2 camps and the rest will be history.” He posted.

Former Imenti Central MP and lawyer Gitobu Imanyara alluded to Raila being himself as a revolutionary leader and that the AU post is unlikely to change his character.

“Kenya Kwanza people misunderstood and underrated Baba the Enigma. Today he has given Kenyans reason to send a powerful message that we will never go back to the dark days that created William Ruto. We have a Constitution that we will defend with the last drop of our blood. Raila Odinga has not disappointed us. He leads from the front. Defend the Constitution or perish!” He said.