Ruto Allies Call for Raila's Return as PM After AU Loss

Calls advocating for Raila Odinga's inclusion in President William Ruto's administration as Prime Minister are gaining momentum following his recent defeat to Djiboutian Mahmoud Ali Youssouf for the chairmanship of the Africa Union Commission (AUC).

This movement, primarily pushed by supporters of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, seeks to secure a prominent role for Raila in the wake of this notable setback, which President Ruto has called a significant loss for the continent. Prominent proponents of this initiative include Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech. They are drawing attention to the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which recommends constitutional amendments to establish the office of the Prime Minister.

Cherargei has argued that Raila’s extensive political experience and leadership acumen make him the ideal candidate for this role. Koech has echoed Cherargei’s sentiments, asserting during a television interview that Raila’s leadership and advisory capabilities would be invaluable for President Ruto's administration. He emphasizes that harnessing Raila's wealth of experience could yield substantial benefits for the nation. In a broader context, Raila Odinga’s allies have signalled their continued support for President Ruto following the AUC defeat.

“The NADCO report should be fully implemented, as we cannot allow such brilliant leadership and experience to go to waste after the Africa Union missed it,” Cherargei stated.

They have highlighted Raila's dedication to national unity and pan-Africanism, pointing out his withdrawal from the AUC race in the sixth round to avoid creating a prolonged leadership vacuum. Strategic manoeuvres have also been revealed by Raila's inner circle, as legislative affairs analyst Arnold Maliba has noted plans that could see Musalia Mudavadi step down from his position as Prime Cabinet Secretary to facilitate Raila's ascension to the role. In this scenario, Mudavadi might transition to the National Assembly as Speaker.

Conversely, had Raila won the AUC chairmanship, his allies aimed to secure significant positions within Ruto's government. The NADCO report suggests creating the Prime Minister's office, with responsibilities including the supervision of national government policies and programs, coordination of legislative agendas, and performing other duties assigned by the President. Notably, the report states that the Prime Minister would be nominated by the party or coalition that received the second-highest number of votes in the most recent presidential election.

President William Ruto has reaffirmed that his support for Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) was motivated solely by national interests, rather than personal political calculations. Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday, Ruto emphasized that his endorsement stemmed from a shared vision for the leadership of the continental body.

He highlighted Odinga as the only Kenyan vying for a position of such significance and underscored the importance of the candidacy for Kenya. Ruto asserted that he had committed the full backing of the government to Odinga’s campaign and felt that both leaders had supported each other effectively throughout the process.

“The former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, performed admirably; he met with key stakeholders and excelled in the debate, receiving positive feedback even from critics,” Ruto remarked while addressing a gathering of Kenyan Members of Parliament who had travelled to Addis Ababa in solidarity with Odinga.

Reflecting on the socio-political climate in Kenya, Ruto recalled the anti-government protests that erupted on June 25, 2024, which he characterized as a pivotal moment for the nation. The youth-led demonstrations prompted a restructuring of his government, leading to the inclusion of Raila’s allies, a move seen as a strategic response to quell the unrest that had put his administration under significant pressure.

In a parallel address, Raila Odinga acknowledged Ruto’s profound support during his campaign for the AUC chairmanship. He conveyed to the MPs present that despite potential finger-pointing regarding the campaign’s outcome, Ruto had provided comprehensive logistical backing and facilitated vital connections with continental leaders.

"There will be challenges in the aftermath of this campaign, including blame-shifting and self-doubt regarding our efforts. However, President Ruto did everything within his power to support my candidacy, ensuring I had the necessary resources and opportunities to advance my agenda,” Odinga stated.