Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
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Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has addressed the public for the first time since his defeat in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship election.
The ODM leader has expressed gratitude for the support he received and dismisses rumours of excessive campaign spending. Djibouti's Ali Mohammed Youssouf won the election after a seven-round voting process. Odinga was eliminated in the sixth round, consistently trailing Youssouf, while Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato exited earlier. Odinga thanks Kenyans and key political figures for their backing throughout the campaign.
He describes the experience as a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the African continent, noting that he engaged with over 40 African leaders. Despite the outcome, Odinga maintains a positive tone, framing the election as a beneficial learning experience. He emphasizes his intention to refocus on domestic initiatives and projects within Kenya, leveraging the insights gained during the AUC campaign.
“This was an enterprise that was an eye opener, it gave us an opportunity to understand our continent better. We now know the challenges that face our continent, I had an opportunity to meet over 40 presidents in their own capitals,” the former Prime Minister said.
Odinga has addressed claims that his campaign cost Sh13 billion, labelling them as baseless. He clarifies that the funds were used for essential travel logistics, with many African nations providing accommodation and other support. He also expresses his gratitude for the support from Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government departments. Odinga’s participation in the AUC election and his subsequent reflections highlight the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and address the multifaceted challenges facing the African continent.
"Some people say it was Sh13 billion spent on the Raila Campaign. I don't know which world they live in. A billion shilling to do what? The money that was spent was necessary for transport to travel around and we were not living luxuriously," he said.