Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has urged former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to withdraw his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position, citing the need for the country to come together to address its pressing issues.
Speaking during a church service in Mumias, Kakamega County, Savula said that Kenya is bigger than the position Odinga is vying for and that he should instead focus on helping President William Ruto build a cohesive administration.
“We want Raila to stay here and help us solve our country’s problems. We don’t need him to go to Ethiopia and leave Kenya burning,” Savula said.
The call comes as Odinga has recently joined Ruto for national dialogues aimed at creating an inclusive government, following widespread protests over the government’s proposed tax hike in the 2024 Finance Bill. However, the dialogues have been delayed due to uncertainty over where they will take place and who will attend.
Odinga has stated that he will not engage in the national dialogue until certain conditions are met, including compensation for victims of police brutality, dropping of protest-related cases, and the release of those arrested or abducted.
The government had previously established a campaign secretariat to work with Odinga to support his bid for the AUC chairperson position, which has been endorsed by other regional leaders such as Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.
Savula’s call has sparked debate on social media, with some supporting his stance and others urging Odinga to pursue his bid. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – Kenya’s political landscape is set to remain tumultuous in the coming months.
