By Nairobian Reporter
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has pointed fingers at President William Ruto for allegedly sabotaging Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. In a heated statement on Friday, February 21, Kalonzo accused the president of having ulterior motives that contributed to Raila’s defeat.
“I place the blame squarely on Mheshimiwa William Samoei Ruto, who was Raila’s chief campaigner. He probably had his motives. He thought that maybe if he pushed Raila, atakuwa na easier time. He didn’t know it was going to be very difficult,” Kalonzo stated.
Kalonzo further argued that the Kenya Kwanza government’s handling of the Gen Z protests negatively impacted Raila’s chances. He suggested that African heads of state struggled to separate the government’s controversial response to the protests from Raila’s candidacy.
“Raila was a candidate of the Republic of Kenya. Sasa watu wanaangalia ile bendera ya Kenya ambayo inabebwa pale, is the same flag that our children were carrying along with a bottle of water to demonstrate and got killed. So they were saying this is that president that has presented a candidate here,” Kalonzo emphasized.
He also highlighted the influence of Gen Zs, claiming they successfully lobbied African leaders against Raila’s bid, steering support towards Djibouti’s candidate, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
How the AUC Election Unfolded
The election, held on Saturday, February 15, saw Mahmoud Ali Youssouf clinch the AUC chairmanship with 33 votes, defeating Raila and former Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randramandriato. With 49 heads of state voting, a two-thirds majority—33 votes—was required to win.
In the first round, Raila led with 20 votes, Mahmoud followed closely with 18, and Randramandriato secured 10. As no candidate reached the required threshold, the voting proceeded to subsequent rounds. Raila managed to secure 22 votes in the second round, but Mahmoud continued to gain momentum.
By the sixth round, Raila was eliminated after failing to achieve a majority. Mahmoud advanced to the final round, ultimately securing the necessary 33 votes to become the new AUC chairperson.
The Bigger Picture
Kalonzo’s remarks have ignited political debates, with questions raised about the government’s role in international diplomacy and the impact of domestic politics on Kenya’s global image. As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to Kenya’s next moves on the continental stage and the future of its political alliances.
Stay tuned to Nairobian for more updates on this developing story.