Following Raila Odinga’s defeat in the race for chairperson of the African Union Commission, calls for Kenya’s withdrawal from the AU have emerged from his allies. The election results sparked discussions about Kenya’s financial commitments and influence within the AU, with some politicians advocating for a reevaluation of its role and structure. Senator Ledama Olekina suggested a review of the AU’s governance, highlighting potential grievances among member states.
Allies of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have suggested that Kenya may consider withdrawing from the African Union (AU) following his defeat in the election for chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The election took place during the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Youssouf, emerged victorious after seven rounds of voting, garnering 33 votes to meet the required two-thirds majority from the 49 attendees.
Odinga faced significant competition not only from Youssouf but also from Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard Randriamandrato. The outcome has sparked strong reactions among Odinga’s supporters, prompting discussions on Kenya’s position within the AU. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has taken a leading role in advocating for Kenya’s exit from the AU, as well as the withdrawal from the East African Community (EAC).
The EAC consists of eight member states: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. In a similar vein, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has suggested that Kenya should reassess its financial contributions to the AU, calling for a potential reduction and reconsideration of future financial commitments in light of this recent election result. This growing discontent reflects ongoing concerns regarding the AU’s structure and its alignment with member states’ interests.
Senator Ledama Olekina of Narok has also expressed his views, recognizing President William Ruto’s support for Odinga’s candidacy while emphasizing the need for a critical evaluation of the AU’s organizational framework. He provocatively inquired, “Why not divide the African Union into two?” making a case for a systemic review of the AU’s structures.
It is essential to note that the process for electing the AUC chairperson is confined to member states and is designed to be free of military oversight. The position rotates among the AU’s five regions, with this past election cycle seeing the Eastern region nominate the chair and the Northern region elect the deputy.
The recent electoral defeat of Raila Odinga for the chair of the African Union Commission has incited calls from his supporters for Kenya to reconsider its participation in the AU. The results have highlighted underlying dissatisfaction with the AU’s structure and governance, prompting potential shifts in Kenya’s financial commitments and diplomatic strategies. This scenario reflects a broader sentiment concerning Kenya’s influence within regional and continental frameworks.
Original Source: mwakilishi.com
