Raila is a stateman, best person for AU job – Odumo

The candidature of Raila Odinga for the Chairmanship position of the African Union Commission is seen as a blessing to East Africa, which has had no chance to lead the African continent.

A Kisumu politician Fred Odumo stated that it is high time the chairmanship position goes to an individual statesman from East Africa.

Odumo held the opinion that East and Northern Africa have never held that leadership position for over 20 years. 

"You remember the current Chairman Mousa Faki is from Central Africa and his predecessor Madam Dlamini Zuma was from South Africa, so I think East Africa should also be given a chance to lead," he said.

Odumo said if Raila were elected, then his biggest agenda would be to strengthen regional economic integration among member states and deal with armed conflicts and security concerns.

He said if Raila is picked, he will have to use his enormous knowledge of regional politics and global political networks to re-engineer the secretariat and build the requisite institutional capacity to deal with the ever-changing political and socio-economic needs of the continent.

Speaking to the press in Muhoroni on Saturday when he met ODM party officials to strengthen the recruitment drive, Odumo differed on the opinion that the appointment of Raila, if it happens, is a retirement package for the former Premier.

"I think that is not true, article 38 (3)of our Constitution on political rights gives every Kenyan including Raila the right to be a candidate for a public office or an office in a political party and if elected to hold that office," he said.

He went further to note that the political right is also espoused under the AU African Charter on Haman and People's Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Kenya is a signatory to.

"Our Constitution abhors discrimination in whatsoever manner including based on age. It is therefore wrong for anyone to put pressure on Hon. Raila to retire from politics," he asserted.

Odumo stated that democratic political competition is healthy for the exercise of the citizen's right to vote.

He further waded into the politics of 2027, where he echoed sentiments made by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga that all those interested in the presidential seat sell their ideas directly to the people instead of sitting back hoping to be endorsed by other candidates.

"We need to avoid board room negotiations which scuttle democracy and citizens right to choose their leaders," he said.

He said there should be no bickering in Azimio because the Coalition Agreement or Deed of Agreement deposited at the Registrar of Political Parties has express provisions on how the Coalition is to elect its presidential candidate.

Odumo has been meeting party officials in the subcounties to energize them regarding the recruitment of new members into the party.

Already, he has met party officials in Nyando, Nyakach, Muhoroni and will now move to Kisumu East before winding up with the remaining three constituencies of Seme, Kisumu West and Central.