National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has said there’s no hidden agenda behind the unwavering government support for Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s AU bid.
Raila’s declaration of candidature for the African Union Commission chair has earned him friendship and support from some unlikely quarters including from his longtime political nemesis President William Ruto.
Speaking on Friday, Wetang’ula said people should not read much into the newfound cordial relation and unfettered backing of Raila’s ambitions by the State.
“The job is for Kenya as a country, you can only be sponsored by your government to go to that job and those who elect you are the governments of Africa including the Republic of Kenya,” he said.
The Speaker said the President has already forwarded Raila’s name as Kenya’s candidate for the chairmanship job ahead of the elections slated for 2025.
It is understood that Ruto has put Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi in charge of the campaign machinery.
Wetang’ula said what remains now is for individuals of high standing like himself to hit the ground running and woo regional Heads of State to support Raila’s candidature.
“Someone like me here, when I go to every African country, I’m known to the president, the speaker, vice president. We are all going to put on our jogging shoes to make sure we rotate around Africa to campaign for Raila Amollo Odinga to be the next chairman of the Africa Union.”
The Speaker spoke at St Augustine Senior Seminary, Mabanga in Bungoma County where he officially opened its Konza Digital Skills Laboratory equipped by the National Government through the Ministry of ICT.
“And let’s make it very clear we are not staking Raila to be the African Union chairman because we want to exit him from Kenya. We are staking him because he is capable of being the chairman of the African Union,” Wetang’ula affirmed.
“Na yeye mwenyewe amesema amefurahi na angependa kuenda kufanya hiyo kazi na tutamsaidia aende kufanya hiyo kazi (He has said it himself he is happy to go do the job and we will help him do the job).”
Raila has already been endorsed by several high-profile leaders including Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Obasanjo, who is AU’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa region, endorsed Raila on February 15 immediately after the ODM leader announced his candidature.
“I have no doubt that my friend who is standing next to me (Raila) is the right person to take over the mantle. If the EAC region backs him, I believe the rest of the continent will support him,” Obasanjo said during a joint press conference at Raila’s Karen home.
He said Raila suits the profile of individuals who have held the AU chairmanship having either been head of government either as President or Prime Minister.
“Looking at it critically, it is the turn of East Africa,” Obasanjo said.
On Thursday, Raila told Kenyans that he would be ready to take a break from the African Union if needed for another job in the country.
"I will be there, and even if you need me for any other duties, I will be ready. I will leave that(AU job) to stay so that I come and work for Kenyans first,'' Raila said.
While speaking in Marani, Kisii, Raila told his supporters not to be worried about his AU bid as he will be available for them in future.