Editor's Review

“In the short run, Kenya must limit its financial commitments to AU and in the long run, exit."

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allies have threatened to petition the exit of Kenya from the African Union (AU) following his defeat in the AUC chairmanship race.  

In a statement on Saturday, February 15 night, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma announced he will push for the exit of the East African Community (EAC) from AU.  

“I will petition the withdrawal of the East African Community from the African Union,” Kaluma stated.

His Alego Usonga counterpart Samuel Atandi suggested that Kenya should first reduce its financial contributions to the AU and eventually withdraw following Raila’s loss.

“In the short run, Kenya must now limit its financial commitments to AU and in the long run, exit,” Atandi remarked.

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Narok Senator Ledama Olekina on his part called for the division of the AU into two parts.

“Thank you President William Ruto for your effort. You did your best and we appreciate it. Now we must think of the future of Africa. Why not divide the African Union into two? Why not ?,” Ledama posed.

File image of MP Peter Kaluma. 

Raila lost to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf in a vote held on Saturday afternoon at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Raila had won the first two rounds of voting but then went on to lose the next three rounds to Youssouf.

He was eliminated in the sixth round after Djibouti’s candidate garnered 26 votes, while he got 22 votes with one abstention.

Youssouf moved to the seventh round where he won the AUC chair seat after garnering 33 votes.

While reacting to Raila’s loss, President William Ruto thanked African Heads of State who voted for the former Premier despite his loss.

"While the outcome of this election did not favour Kenya’s candidate, I wish to convey my deepest gratitude to the entire leadership of our great continent. Thank you for considering the Right Honourable Raila Odinga’s vision and priorities for the African Union and for giving him the opportunity to share his passion for the continent’s transformation," said Ruto.

The President further extended his congratulations to Youssouf and Selma Haddadi, the newly elected Deputy Chairperson of AU.