RAILA ODINGA SHIFTS FOCUS TO AFRICAN UNION CAMPAIGN, STEPS AWAY FROM ACTIVE KENYAN POLITICS
Azimio leader Raila Odinga announced that he is going to step away from active Kenyan politics and focus on matters on the continent.
Raila will concentrate on his campaign for the chairmanship position in the African Union Commission. He has announced the switch in a speech on Wednesday.
“You know that I am going to start working for the continent once I get elected in February 2025,” Raila said.
He reiterated he was going to be inactive in Kenyan politics but still be a strong voice for Kenyan welfare. “At the moment, I am involved in the campaign for the AUC, but that does not mean Kenya ceases to exist. I’m not going to be active in Kenyan politics henceforth as I focus my attention on the continental campaign,” he said.
Raila spoke after hosting Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at his Railways headquarters office.
He said he was dedicated to the African dream of prosperity, peace, unity, and stability. “We’re happy to see that Africa has come of age from the ashes of the Organisation of African Unity, but today’s African Union needs to be strengthened to enable African countries to realise the dreams of our Founding Fathers,” Raila said.
He pointed to the ongoing challenges Africa faces: health, education, and employment. Raila pointed to the tragic loss of young Africans who are trying to escape poverty by attempting dangerous sea crossings to Europe. “As you know, many young African boys drown in the Mediterranean as they try to run away from poverty and the challenges on the continent; seeking greener pastures in Europe,” Raila said.
“It shouldn’t be the case if we can create an environment that suits and allows the same people to be employed on the continent of Africa,” he insisted.
Kenya officially endorsed Raila Odinga’s candidacy for chairmanship at the AUC in July.
