‘He Should Simply Retire!’ – Kalonzo Says On If Raila Fails AUC Chairmanship
As the African Union Commission (AUC) elections approach, political figures continue to express differing views on the fate of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Odinga hopes to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat as chairperson of the panel.
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has joined the debate, having previously endorsed Raila’s candidacy for the country’s top position.
Kalonzo told veteran journalist Mark Masai that if Raila fails to win the AUC seat in the next February elections, he does not see him returning to politics.
The opposition leader suggested that if Raila loses the much-anticipated elections, he should retire.
Kalonzo told Mark Masai that if Raila failed in his ambition for AUC chairperson, he will be astonished if he returned to politics.
Kalonzo Musyoka: "If Raila Odinga loses the AUC chairmanship he should retire from politics." #HapaNdipo pic.twitter.com/6X61yLxGD7
— Radio 47 (@Radio47_Kenya) February 4, 2025
“I don’t see how Raila Odinga would lose the chairmanship and come back and say he wants to lead Azimio. I would be amazed, I would truly be amazed,” Kalonzo said during an interview late on Monday, February 3, 2025.
“That would not be the Raila Odinga I know because he must also have a reality check,” he affirmed.
“But for now, the option is he goes if he wins, beautiful for him, the country and the continent. If he loses, I think he should simply retire.”
Kalonzo, who dropped his presidential run in 2022 to support Raila and Martha Karua, stated that he expects Raila to join former President Uhuru Kenyatta as a retired statesman.
“I would advise Raila to retire and join Uhuru Kenyatta who is out of leadership and he is not intending to run again. I think Raila would join Uhuru in that capacity, a retired statesman,” Kalonzo maintained.
However, he made it plain that Azimio completely supported Raila Odinga’s candidacy, claiming that his efforts and values will assist the continent make progress in political and socioeconomic development.
At the same time, Kalonzo expanded his onslaught against President William Ruto, saying that he had hidden motives for endorsing Raila’s candidature.
Kalonzo alleged that Ruto was using the AUC endorsement to remove Raila from local politics so that he could use it to persuade his supporters to support his re-election campaign.
Kalonzo expressed optimism that even if Raila wins the AUC seat, he will still receive more votes in his hometown than Ruto owing to his loyalty and their previous excellent working relationships.
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“William Ruto mistakenly believes with Raila Odinga out of the scene then he can cultivate Raila Odinga’s constituencies,” Kalonzo said during the interview.
“He thinks that loyalty is transferable. Political loyalty is not transferable. If I visit Luo Nyanza and Luo having supported Raila three times if Ruto gets the votes, I must get the majority.”
“I think the intention of William Ruto is he thinks he can get Raila Odinga out of the political scene in Kenya then he would have a second term. I can tell you that it cannot work that way,” he further claimed.
“Less than 20 per cent of Kenyans approve of his leadership whether Raila Odinga goes to the AU or not, William Ruto’s days are numbered as a leader in a democracy and I think he should prepare to leave.”
‘He Should Simply Retire!’ – Kalonzo Says On If Raila Fails AUC Chairmanship
