- The Prime CS said politicians should treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and put the country's interest first.
- He told politicians to stop making the AU bid a Raila Odinga issue as an individual but recognise the fact that Kenya is fronting a candidate to offer leadership.
Image: PCSP
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has warned politicians against making reckless utterances concerning Kenya’s bid to front a candidate for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
The Prime CS said utterances by a section of politicians may weaken Kenya’s quest for the top continental job.
He said politicians should treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and put the country's interest first.
"The issue is not about getting someone a job as a reward. The question should be what will be Kenya’s interest if we have our candidate win? What Kenya is offering the continent in terms of leadership is the bigger picture we should be looking at," Mudavadi said.
"We need to understand that Kenya is a member among the 55 other members of the AU, and the chairperson’s position is not about individuals but the nation as a member."
The CS told politicians to stop making the AU bid a Raila Odinga issue as an individual but recognise the fact that Kenya is fronting a candidate to offer leadership.
He said Kenya is seeking ways it will help in reconciling the continent and solve challenges Africa is facing.
"Once we have established that it is in the nation’s interest, then we can now begin asking ourselves 'does Raila fit the bill' and the answer is, yes," he added.
The Prime CS said President William Ruto chose Raila as Kenya’s potential candidate because of his vast experience that will help Africa find solutions to the challenges it is facing.
He added that Raila has demonstrated the capacity to offer Africa an alternative kind of leadership as he is a strong Pan-African.
According to him, Raila has key credentials that when properly utilised will help make a difference in the continental leadership.
"The talk about the AU job being a reward system is misleading. We need to create proper dialogue and look at how the Kenyan leadership will open up connections within the African States," Mudavadi said.
"What most of our politicians are pronouncing themselves on might undermine our chances of getting the job and it is time we pull together and provide a united front for the sake of putting Kenya on the map of Africa and the globe."
The Prime CS was speaking at the funeral service of veteran publisher and author Mzee Henry Chakava in Vokoli, Sabatia in Vihiga County.
He eulogised Chakava as a great son of the soil for Kenya and Africa.
He said the late Chakava deserves a space in the hall of fame as a cultural stalwart saying the grim hand of death had deprived the country and the continent of the pride and leviathan of literary independent African publishing.
The late Chakava was a pioneer of indigenous publishing through his East African Educational Publishers company.
He nurtured, promoted and published some of the leading contemporary African writers like Ngugi wa Thiong’o among other well-known authors.
Chakava is survived by widow Rosalind Chakava and three daughters; Sharon, Laura and Yolanda.