Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has commended Raila Odinga for his spirited and resilient campaign in the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
In a statement on Sunday, February 16, Gachagua praised Raila's perseverance and leadership, describing him as the indefatigable Lion of Africa who represented Kenya with dignity and pride.
Gachagua acknowledged Raila's determination throughout the hotly contested election, commending him for securing a credible second place.
"Raila Odinga, you put on a brave fight, elicited energy, resilience, and the indefatigable Lion of Africa. You came in a credible 2nd as you held the Kenyan Flag high in a hotly contested seat of the AUC Chairmanship. You did not lose; the majority had their way. The African and the Kenyan spirit lives on," he said.
Additionally, Gachagua expressed a deep sense of patriotism, stating that Africa needed Odinga’s leadership but Kenya required his service even more.
Read More
“Africa needed you most, but God, in His own wisdom, found that Kenya, your motherland, and indeed, we Kenyans, your beloved brothers and sisters, have unfinished business with you as their coveted son as we unshackle our country from recklessness,” he said.
Gachagua reassured Odinga that his performance at the AU did not diminish his leadership qualities or commitment to Kenya’s progress.
“In any case, the outcome at the AU doesn’t, in any way, undermine your leadership and your energy to fix our nation,” Gachagua stated, reinforcing his respect for Odinga’s vision for Kenya. Welcome back home, our son Raila Odinga, with your head held high; east or west, home is the best. Take heart, you did Kenya proud,” he concluded.
In the recent AUC Chairperson election held on Saturday, February 15, Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, emerged victorious over Raila and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato.
The election process was extensive, requiring seven rounds of voting by the AU's 55 member states.
In the initial rounds, Raila led the vote count, but as the voting progressed, Youssouf gained momentum.
By the sixth round, Youssouf had secured 26 votes, while Raila had 22, leading to Raila's withdrawal from the race.
In the decisive seventh round, Youssouf achieved the necessary two-thirds majority with 33 votes, thereby clinching the chairmanship.
Following his defeat, Raila graciously conceded and extended his congratulations to Youssouf, expressing his acceptance of the outcome and wishing the new chairperson success in his tenure.
“I therefore concede defeat and want us to use this as an example of strengthening democracy on our continent. I wish Mahamoud Ali Youssouf all the best and success in his undertaking,” he said.
