Kalonzo: Ruto Administration Cost Raila the AU Chairperson Position

Raila Odinga, a well-known figure in African politics, was unexpectedly defeated in the African Union (AU) Chairperson elections held on Saturday.

Despite being a leading candidate, Odinga lost to Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who received a convincing 33 votes. The outcome has significant implications for Kenya, prompting Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to weigh in on the reasons for this setback. Musyoka has pointed to President William Ruto, asserting that his administration's actions may have hindered Odinga's chances.

According to Musyoka, it is particularly troubling that a former Prime Minister like Odinga could lose to a foreign minister, suggesting that geopolitical tensions involving Kenya and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have played a critical role in the election results. During a church service in Kitui, Musyoka stated, "The biggest loser is not Raila Odinga; it is William Ruto. He has tainted the image of the country."

He argued that the SADC's discomfort with Ruto’s leadership and Kenya's diplomatic stance contributed to a united bloc supporting Youssouf, thereby affecting Odinga's viability as a candidate. Political analysts have supported Musyoka's views, noting that perceptions of Kenya's involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may have further complicated Odinga's campaign. President Ruto, who chairs the East African Community (EAC), has taken an active role in facilitating discussions to resolve tensions between the DRC government and rebel forces.

However, critics have argued that Kenya's perceived alignment with Rwanda in this conflict alienated DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and could have influenced the voting dynamics at the AU summit in Addis Ababa.
Moreover, the redistribution of votes from the SADC bloc following Madagascar's candidate Richard Randriamandrato's elimination in the third round significantly bolstered Youssouf’s total. This shift was pivotal in determining the final outcome, as noted by several political analysts.

In the aftermath of the election, President Ruto publicly congratulated Youssouf on his victory, while Odinga exemplified political grace by conceding defeat.