Raila Odinga Threatens To Walk Out Of AUC Candidature Citing Country’s Turmoil Political Situation
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga threatened to withdraw his candidacy for Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on Sunday.
Speaking in Dubai, the Azimio leader stated that if efforts to restore political stability in Kenya fail, he will withdraw from the race to chair the continental body.
“I am ready to forgo my AUC ambitions for the sake of my country if this is being used to manipulate me at the expense of the quest for a better and stable country,” he was quoted as stating.
Azimio Leader Threatens to give up AUC Candidature for local politics#RailaOdinga pic.twitter.com/taPNOK3O02
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The statement came just a few minutes after the former Prime Minister stated that he would not engage in dialogue with President William Ruto’s administration until justice for young Kenyans killed during anti-government protests is served.
Raila also stated that he was offended by reports that he had been bribed into forming a government of national unity by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The Azimo Leader stated that rumors that he was being duped into supporting Ruto’s government in exchange for lobbying for the AUC top seat could not be further from the truth.
“The idea that I have agreed to such a government is entirely false,” he was quoted as stating.
According to Raila Odinga, rumors that he was being bribed with an AUC seat were spread by people who wanted to cause division in the Azimio Coalition.
The Azimio Leader, who also serves as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader, denied that his decision to engage in dialogue with the Kenya Kwanza administration had caused divisions within ODM.
Raila had been chastised by a group of ODM luminaries led by Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Orengo described the decision to engage in dialogue with Ruto’s government as a betrayal of those who have died during the anti-government protests.
“We cannot at a time we are mourning our people and some are scrambling for positions, this cannot happen,” Orengo stated on Friday, July 19.
Raila Odinga Threatens To Walk Out Of AUC Candidature Citing Country’s Turmoil Political Situation
