The recent loss in the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship election should serve as a crucial learning experience for Kenya as it seeks to position itself better on the global stage. Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has urged the country not to shy away from international leadership contests but rather field more candidates for key global positions in the future.
Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, lost the bid to Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Youssouf in an election held last Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mwangangi, a diplomacy and international relations expert, pointed out that Kenya made several missteps in its campaign that ultimately led to the loss, but these mistakes should serve as lessons for the future.
One of the key challenges he highlighted was the country’s reliance on diplomats who were not fully aware of the shifting diplomatic dynamics across Africa. According to Mwangangi, while the AUC chairmanship was determined by a popular vote among political leaders, Kenya failed to effectively utilize its seasoned foreign affairs experts. He noted that many of these experts were either ignored or sidelined throughout the campaign, weakening Kenya’s diplomatic approach.
Additionally, Mwangangi suggested that internal political baggage may have played a role in Raila’s defeat. Issues such as corruption allegations, social injustices, and a crackdown on dissent likely painted a negative image of Kenya’s governance, affecting the candidate’s appeal to other African nations. He further claimed that Raila’s decision to align with the Kenya Kwanza administration may have alienated some of his traditional supporters, including the youth, who launched a social media campaign against both President William Ruto and Raila Odinga.
Moreover, Kenya’s diplomatic strategy lacked key alliances that could have secured a win. Mwangangi emphasized the importance of securing the support of influential African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. He argued that the government’s failure to prioritize these key partnerships significantly weakened Kenya’s chances in the election.
There were also perceptions that Kenya’s campaign was more about resolving domestic political issues rather than pushing for true Pan-African leadership. Some African leaders reportedly viewed the endorsement of Raila as a political maneuver to settle internal conflicts, rather than a genuine bid to advance the continent’s agenda.
Despite the setback, Mwangangi remains optimistic about Kenya’s future in international leadership. He emphasized that fielding candidates for top global positions is a step in the right direction and should continue. The experience gained from this election loss should be used to refine future strategies, ensuring that Kenya emerges stronger in global leadership contests.
