Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot has expressed strong doubts about ODM leader Raila Odinga’s chances of winning the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Thursday, August 29, Aukot suggested that Raila’s bid for the prestigious position is unlikely to succeed due to several factors.
Aukot accused President William Ruto of using Raila’s candidacy for political convenience rather than genuine support.
According to the former presidential aspirant, Ruto’s endorsement of Raila is more about solving internal challenges within his Kenya Kwanza administration than promoting Raila’s continental ambitions.
“Ruto said for him to sit comfortably, he needed to bring Raila Odinga to the table because he has a sycophantic following. By the way, he is not being honest with Raila because he will not get the AUC position,” Aukot stated.
He further argued that Raila lacks the necessary qualifications for the AUC chairperson role and suggested that the former prime minister’s candidacy is doomed from the start.
Aukot also criticized those close to Raila, accusing them of misleading him about his prospects. He stated that the AUC chairperson role is based on qualifications, not personality, and that Raila’s global image, alongside Ruto’s, could negatively impact his chances.
In agreement with Aukot, diplomacy and governance analyst Ahmed Hashi also forecasted a bleak outcome for Raila’s AUC bid.
Hashi predicted a landslide victory for Djibouti’s candidate, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, pointing out that Raila is among the leaders viewed unfavorably by the African youth for allegedly contributing to the continent’s challenges.
