Nyandarua Senator John Methu has voiced his concerns over the planned travel of approximately 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) to Addis Ababa for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections. He has urged the legislators to personally fund their trip rather than relying on taxpayers’ money.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday morning, Methu argued that using public funds for the trip would be an injustice to Kenyans, given the country’s economic struggles. He emphasized that the government should avoid unnecessary expenditures that burden taxpayers.
“I hope and expect that the 100 MPs accompanying Baba to Ethiopia are doing so at their own expense. We cannot afford to be extravagant,” Methu stated.
He also questioned the necessity of such a large delegation, noting that Raila Odinga, Kenya’s candidate for the AUC chairmanship, has a dedicated secretariat that handles his campaign. According to Methu, MPs have no significant role in the election process beyond their usual political support.
“It would be irresponsible for the government to send 100 MPs to Addis Ababa from tomorrow until Saturday just to idle around. These are the kind of expenditures that burden and hurt the people of Kenya,” he added.
Reports indicate that politicians from various political affiliations, including governors and senators, are planning to travel to Ethiopia for the AUC elections. During last year’s Mjadala Africa debate, a significant number of MPs and governors also accompanied Raila to Addis Ababa, raising similar concerns about unnecessary government expenditure.
The AUC chairmanship election is scheduled for February 15 during the ordinary session of the Heads of State meeting in Addis Ababa. Raila, who concluded his continental campaign last week, is currently in retreat ahead of his departure. His main rivals in the race are Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
On Monday, Raila addressed ODM leaders and supporters at a special prayer session at Bomas of Kenya, expressing confidence in the election outcome. He assured his supporters that he would accept the results with grace.
“By God’s grace, I know I shall win. If we are victorious, we shall celebrate, and if we lose, we shall still be winners,” Raila stated.
The prayer session, organized by women affiliated with ODM, saw religious leaders present Raila with a crozier and a Bible as a symbolic gesture of his leadership aspirations. Clergy members prayed for his success, emphasizing his potential role in shaping the future of the African continent.
