Raila Odinga lost the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship election. This has sparked mixed reactions from politicians.
Raila fell in the sixth round. Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf won in the seventh round with 33 votes.
In Kondele, Kisumu County, angry residents chanted “Ruto Must Go” after the news broke. Footage from Kenyans.co.ke showed them watching from a big screen, visibly upset.
Nyeri residents celebrated. They said Raila’s loss would let him focus on Kenyan politics. “We are happy. He should return, join the Opposition, and expose government secrets,” one resident said. They also believed he could now rally Azimio members to keep the government in check. A recent court ruling had recognized Azimio as the majority in the National Assembly.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai dismissed this. “Baba Raila Odinga is not coming back to be used to fight Ruto,” he stated.
Kiambu Senator Karung’o wa Thang’wa consoled Raila but reminded him of Kenya’s political reality. “Rao, you fought hard and gave your best. But know this—you are not the problem. Come home so we can mourn together. Remember, you have the majority in Parliament,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot gave a cryptic reaction. “Religion, France, Region,” he wrote on X.
In Mombasa, residents blamed Raila’s loss on the South African Development Community (SADC). They said SADC’s endorsement of Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato shifted votes to Youssouf. Despite their disappointment, they urged for peace and unity.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma reacted with frustration. “I will petition the withdrawal of the East African Community from the African Union,” he declared
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