Following Raila Odinga’s loss in the chairperson election for the African Union Commission, calls from his allies for Kenya to withdraw from the African Union have surfaced. The election saw Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf elected amidst strong competition. Politicians like Peter Kaluma and Samuel Atandi have expressed dissatisfaction with the AU, urging a reconsideration of Kenya’s membership and financial contributions.
In the wake of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s defeat for the chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), there has been an emergence of calls for Kenya to consider its membership within the African Union (AU). This outcome arose during the AU’s 38th Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, where Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Youssouf, won after an extensive voting process, amassing 33 votes which constituted a two-thirds majority among 49 participating leaders.
Odinga faced formidable opposition, not only from Youssouf but also from Richard Randriamandrato, a former Foreign Affairs Minister of Madagascar. The reaction from Odinga’s supporters has been vigorous, provoking discussions about the future of Kenya within the AU framework. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has emerged as a vocal proponent of withdrawing from the AU, indicating that this move may also extend to the East African Community (EAC), which includes eight member states.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has joined this dialogue, recommending a reassessment of Kenya’s financial contributions to the AU due to the dissatisfaction with the organization’s efficacy. Senator Ledama Olekina of Narok has acknowledged President William Ruto’s backing of Odinga’s candidacy while advocating for an evaluation of the AU’s structural setup. He provocatively suggested, “Why not divide the African Union into two?” which underscores the mounting discontent with the AU.
It is pertinent to note that the electoral process for the AUC chairperson is confined to member states and is immune to military intervention, with leadership roles rotating among the AU’s five regional blocs, indicating a structured approach to governance within the organization.
The electoral defeat of Raila Odinga has ignited significant discussions among Kenyan politicians regarding the nation’s affiliation with the African Union. Amidst calls for potential withdrawal or reassessment of financial commitments, there is clear discontent with the AU’s effectiveness and structural arrangements. This suggests a pivotal moment for Kenya’s role within regional governance, reflecting broader implications for African unity and collaboration.
Original Source: mwakilishi.com
