Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has lost the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship to Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, despite running what many described as a spirited campaign. Raila was eliminated in the final rounds of voting after trailing Youssouf, who ultimately secured the required 33 votes in the seventh round.
The election saw Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato eliminated early in the first four rounds, leaving Raila and Youssouf to battle for the position. However, Youssouf, backed by strong regional and continental support, prevailed, leaving Raila’s bid unsuccessful.
Following the outcome, reactions poured in from Kenyan leaders and citizens, with many acknowledging Raila’s effort and resilience. Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Raila, stating, “Hon Raila and Kenya tried their best… but Djibouti and its candidate were more popular across the continent… congratulations.”
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma lauded President William Ruto for his backing of Raila’s candidacy, stating, “Thank you, President William Ruto. You have done your best. Thank you, Baba Raila Odinga. You ran the best campaign and gave it your all. The silver lining is clear—we now know our enemies.” In a dramatic twist, Kaluma suggested petitioning for the withdrawal of the East African Community (EAC) from the African Union (AU), citing perceived bias against Kenya.
Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa also expressed his support for Raila, urging him to return home and regroup politically. “Rao, you fought your fight and gave it your best. But know this—you are not the problem. Sasa kuja nyumbani, tusononeke pamoja. NB: Remember you have the majority in parliament,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot appeared to suggest external influences played a role in the election’s outcome. He cryptically wrote, “Religion, France, Region,” hinting at geopolitical factors that may have worked against Kenya’s bid.
The loss has sparked discussions about Kenya’s standing within the African Union and the broader geopolitical landscape. Many believe that despite Raila’s strong credentials and widespread continental recognition, Djibouti’s diplomatic maneuvers and external alliances ultimately secured the win for Youssouf.
As the dust settles, attention now shifts back to Kenya’s political landscape, with speculation rife about Raila’s next move after yet another high-stakes campaign on the continental stage.