Allies of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have threatened to push for Kenya’s withdrawal from the African Union (AU) after Raila lost the election for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat to Djibouti’s candidate, Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf.
Youssouf secured the AUC chairperson position after a heated contest that extended to the seventh round of voting, where he garnered the required 33 votes to claim victory. Raila faced off against Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato in the elections.
Following the defeat, a section of Kenyan legislators allied to Raila expressed disappointment and called for Kenya to reconsider its commitment to the AU. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma announced plans to petition the withdrawal of the East African Community (EAC) from the AU. The EAC, a regional bloc of eight nations including Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, plays a crucial role in regional economic and political integration.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi echoed these sentiments, arguing that Kenya should scale down its financial contributions to the AU in the short term and consider a full exit in the long run. “Kenya must now limit its financial commitments to AU and, in the long run, exit,” he stated.
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina took a different approach, suggesting a restructuring of the AU. While appreciating President William Ruto’s efforts in campaigning for Raila’s bid, Olekina proposed that the AU be split into two blocs. “Thank you, President William Ruto, for your effort. You did your best, and we appreciate it. Now we must think of the future of Africa. Why not divide the African Union into two? Why not?” he posed.
The AUC chairperson election was conducted during the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With 49 heads of state participating, the winner needed a two-thirds majority, totaling 33 votes. The position, which rotates among Africa’s five regions, was this time allocated to the Eastern region, while the deputy chairperson seat went to the Northern region.
Kenya’s potential exit from the AU would mark a significant geopolitical shift and could have wide-ranging implications for regional diplomacy, trade, and international cooperation. However, it remains to be seen whether the threats by Raila’s allies will translate into actual government policy.
