Nyeri Town MP, Duncan Mathenge addressing a congregation in a past church function/FILE
Following ODM leader Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission Chairperson (AUC) seat, Nyeri Town lawmaker Duncan Mathenge now says the former premier should be accommodated in government.
The MP argues that Raila’s run for the coveted continental position was a clear testament that he remains a valuable asset in the country and one who should never be wished away.
Mathenge similarly avers that Kenya’s unsuccessful bid for the AU seat also helped unite the country for a common cause despite the differing political affiliations.
“The best benefit we can learn from Raila is to analyse where we are today as a country and see how better he can contribute to the welfare of the country rather than keeping him in abeyance and waiting for 2027,” Mathenge said during Breakfast show on Citizen TV on Tuesday.
Raila was among two other candidates who had presented their names for consideration for the AUC chairperson post; Madagascar’s Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato and his Djibouti counterpart Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
Youssouf eventually went ahead to clinch the seat with 33 votes after Raila dropped out in the sixth round after trailing with 22 votes.
Mathenge, however, argues that Kenya can still rise up from the defeat by reviving the 2002 National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) euphoria that brought political heavyweights from across the country together and ended Kanus 24-year rule.
“The best broad-based government was when Kibaki took over power from Moi after forming the Narc government with leaders like Raila, Kijana Wamalwa, Charity Ngilu, and others from the Coast region. Theirs was a government that had the face of the entire country. We can similarly have an executive that has the face of the country, “he suggests.
Meanwhile, a section of Nyeri residents have expressed mixed reactions following Raila’s loss in Addis Ababa.
They observe that while the results were disappointing to most Kenyans, the loss could be a blessing in disguise for the opposition leader, who has straddled the local political landscape for more than four decades.
To them, it’s time for the former premier to come back to the country and help in safeguarding the very tenets of freedom he has been fighting for all his life.
“Raila has been quite instrumental in fighting for the rights of Kenyans during his tenure as an opposition leader. This is the time that the country needs him most, as almost everything else, including the economy, is doing quite badly,” pointed out Joseph Wachira, a local businessman.
For others like Mwangi Wambugu, Raila’s exit from international limelight has left many wondering about his next possible move.
Wambugu says many supporters of the veteran politician are eagerly waiting for his next big announcement in regard to his future political move, including whether he will be incorporated into the current Kenya Kwanza government.
Mwangi Wambugu, a resident of Nyeri town, emphasized that Raila should collaborate with other Kenyan leaders in order to champion the rights of citizens.
“Raila should now combine forces with other leaders in championing for the rights of every Kenyan. We need all hands-on deck for the sake of this great country. Raila should join forces with other leaders instead of going alone. Unity is essential if we want to effectively advocate for the rights and needs of our people,” he said.