Tough conditions issued by the government and the need for political impartiality during the campaigns compelled Azimio leader Raila Odinga to take a sabbatical from Kenyan politics.
The details came to the fore hours after Raila declared his decision to take a break from local politics as he focuses on campaigns for his African Union Commission Chairperson bid.
Raila is Kenya’s candidate for the top continental job with President William Ruto expected to formally unveil his candidacy next Tuesday.
Multiple sources within the government confirmed that Raila had no option but to publicly announce he would take a back seat from local politics.
The sources noted that negotiations about the conditions have taken some time as Raila was given some time to steady his ODM boat ahead of the announcement.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, the former prime minister revealed that he would be shifting his focus from local politics to the continent.
“I am not going to be very active in Kenyan politics henceforth as I continue now to focus on the continental campaign. But it is a transitional phase from active Kenyan politics moving towards African continental politics," he said.
Raila’s commitment to remain apolitical during the campaigns came after days of behind-the-scenes intrigues in which state and foreign affairs mandarins put him under pressure.
It was perceived that Raila’s continued involvement in Kenyan politics could damage his credentials as local situations have the propensity to get volatile and controversial.
A fragile political environment works against any country bidding for the AUC job, hence the need for solid political stability if Kenya has to win the seat.
“Mzee needed to make it clear to the country and continent that he will be taking a sabbatical to confirm that his neutrality and impartiality are guaranteed before the state embarks on campaigns," said a source aware of the negotiations.
In the last few weeks, Raila has been putting his ODM house in order before he embarks on aggressive continental campaigns for the AUC job.
As part of stabilising his ODM outfit, Raila picked senior leaders to take charge of the party while he shifted his focus to continental politics.
Governors Simba Arati(Kisii), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa ) and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi were appointed as interim deputy party leaders.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga took over as the chairperson of the ODM party in radical changes announced by the outfit’s Central Management Committee.
A senior ODM official told the Star that Raila had already revealed to them that he would not be involved with party matters
“Jakom(Raila) made the party leadership aware of the enormous task ahead of him to galvanise support for his AU bid including the need to work with the government and continental leaders,’’ said the official.
Raila’s decision to take a break from local politics was reserved for an appropriate time and venue to ensure the announcement received continental coverage.
Analysts argue that Raila’s decision to allow ODM members to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration would bolster his continental image during the campaigns.
Kenya was teetering on the edge after a wave of protests by the country’s youth before President Ruto agreed to form a broad-based government to stabilise the country.
It is understood that the final decision that Raila would declare his leave from local politics was made last week and a meeting was planned to confirm that.
Raila finally kept the promise when he held a meeting with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and top state officials on Wednesday.
The Star has established that before the meeting, diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had asked Raila to publicly denounce involvement in local politics to bolster his AUC chances.
President William Ruto’s administration has promised full-throttle campaigns by the State to help Raila secure the coveted continental position.
Eligible AU member states will vote for their preferred candidate in February 2025 in a secret ballot.
The outright winner must get at least two-thirds of the votes of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
If not, several rounds are taken, in which the winner gets a simple majority.