The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Peter Salasya, the Member of Parliament for Mumias East, says Raila Odinga’s loss in the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscores the significant influence of social media on political dynamics.
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Salasya pointed out that although the government attempted to dismiss youth criticism of Raila’s candidacy on social media, African leaders “recognized the truth.”
“Despite the government trying to silence the youth’s voices on social media, African leaders heard the truth. The people’s voice was loud and clear,” Salasya remarked on Sunday.
Some Kenyans have accused Raila of betraying their cause during anti-government protests for his own political benefit by collaborating with President William Ruto during the peak of the Gen Z protests last year.
Meanwhile, human rights activist Hussein Khalid argues that African leaders cannot trust the Kenyan government to lead the AUC due to past human rights violations, adding that Raila’s defeat was deserved.
In a statement on Saturday, Khalid said Raila had betrayed Kenyan youth who had protested for government accountability and used their struggles for his political advantage.
“For Rex Masai, Evans Kiratu, Ibrahim Kamau, Beasley Kogi, Eric Shieni, Abdikadir… Raila’s loss is well-deserved! You cannot betray and trample on the graves of the youth of Kenya and claim to care about Africa. That loss is dedicated to the over 62 youth killed during the Gen Z protests last year,” Khalid posted on his X account.
Khalid also called for Raila’s retirement from active politics.
In a closely contested election, Raila lost the AUC chairmanship race on Saturday to Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, who achieved the two-thirds majority with 33 votes in the seventh round of voting.
Following the defeat, Raila accepted the result and thanked his supporters, stressing the importance of upholding democratic processes in Africa.
“I had offered myself as a candidate. Over the past few months, I have traveled across the continent, engaging with various leaders and campaigning for their votes. Today, they have expressed their will,” Odinga said.
“Though we were not successful, we must strengthen democracy on the African continent, and I am conceding defeat. Let this be an example of how to reinforce democratic values in Africa.”
This marks Kenya’s second unsuccessful attempt at the AUC chairmanship, following Amina Mohamed’s loss to Chad’s Moussa Faki in 2017.
Despite President William Ruto’s intense lobbying, including diplomatic tours across Africa to gather support for Odinga, the bid failed to win unanimous backing from East African nations.
After months of campaigning across the continent, Odinga now plans to return home and focus on other responsibilities.
“My plan now is to go back home. I have many things to do,” he stated.
Despite the loss, Odinga reiterated his commitment to the African cause, expressing his availability to serve in any capacity to further the continent’s progress.
