Gachagua Claims African Union Dismissed Raila for Organizing Anti-Gov’t Protests

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga was dismissed from his position as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development.

Contrary to Odinga’s statement that he asked to be relieved of his duties, Gachagua claimed the ODM party leader was shown the door by the African Union for organizing anti-government protests in Kenya. 

“Haya maandamano yanatia huyu mzee hasara kubwa sana…Amekuwa na kazi kubwa ya African Union infrastructure, amewacha hiyo kazi ameenda maandamano, amefukuzwa kwa hiyo kazi, si imemtia hasara sana?” Gachagua said during the launch of the Taifa Gas plant in Mombasa on Friday.

“Hii maandamano amefanya zaidi ya miaka ishirini, kila mwaka anapata hasara…ameambiwa huyu mzee hapatikani kazini ako maandamano akipiga kelele.”

The deputy president commended the continental body for dismissing Odinga, saying it should be as a lesson to people who fail to do their work and participate in other things.

“Si ata hao wa African Union wamefanya vile inatakikana kwa sababu kama hauko kazini, si watatafuta mwingine?” he posed.

In a letter dated February 19th, Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki thanked Odinga for his service, adding that the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) will take over the role.

“Your exceptional leadership and unique command of the issues concerned has been crucial to the leveraging of infrastructure as a key priority within the Continental agenda,” Faki noted.

In a letter on Thursday, Odinga said he asked to be relieved of his duties due to challenges to his “continued unavailability”.

“In that regard, I welcome your quick action that will free me to pursue other pressing and urgent matters,” he said.

He added: “It has been a great pleasure and honor serving our continent and our people and addressing Infrastructure development. I am proud to have made a contribution to the transformation of the NEPAD Agency to African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, among other contributions during my tenure.”