Kenya’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position ended in disappointment as Raila Odinga, the country’s candidate, lost to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in a fiercely contested election held in Addis Ababa on Saturday. The election, which went up to the seventh round, saw Youssouf emerge victorious after securing the requisite 33 votes.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, in his message following the loss, acknowledged the intense effort put into the campaign and expressed pride in Kenya’s attempt. He commended President William Ruto, Raila Odinga, and the campaign team for their dedication, stating that despite the loss, Kenya remains a strong contender for future leadership roles in continental and global organizations.
“President William Ruto, our candidate Raila Odinga, and his campaign team gave their best. Unfortunately, we have lost. We remain a proud nation that we came so close. Today was not our day, our day will come,” Kindiki said.
The election process was a dramatic one, with Raila initially leading in the first two rounds before Youssouf gained momentum, overtaking him in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds. Raila’s elimination ahead of the final round paved the way for Youssouf’s unopposed victory.
Despite the setback, Kindiki reaffirmed that Raila was Kenya’s strongest candidate for the AUC role, emphasizing his qualifications, experience, and ideological clarity. He noted that the campaign was a learning experience for Kenya, highlighting the need to refine future strategies when seeking international positions.
“For the record, Kenya has never before fronted such a qualified, decorated, and ideologically anchored candidate for an international job. Our loss despite such a superior candidate with a clear agenda for the continent and after such an energetic campaign requires that we figure out what else to get right in future bids,” Kindiki remarked.
Kenya’s loss in the AUC race has sparked discussions on the country’s diplomatic approach and coalition-building strategies within the African Union. Analysts suggest that despite Raila’s strong credentials, Kenya may need to reassess its engagement with regional blocs and strengthen alliances ahead of future elections.
As the dust settles, Kenya remains optimistic about future opportunities to influence continental leadership. The government and political leaders will likely take lessons from this experience to enhance the country’s chances in upcoming bids for key international roles.
For now, Kenya looks ahead, determined to refine its diplomatic strategies and emerge stronger in future contests on the continental stage.
