Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Thursday told Kenyans that he will be ready to take a break from the African Union if needed for another job in the country.
Raila said he would be willing to answer any call from Kenyans to serve them should they need him, even if he would have been elected the African Union Commission chairperson job.
“I will be there, and even if you need me for any other duties, I will be ready. I will leave that to stay so that I come to work for Kenyans first,” Raila said.
The Azimio boss spoke in Marani, Kitutu Chache, and Kisii, Raila told his supporters not to be worried about his AU bid as he will be available for them in future.
Raila’s remarks come in the backdrop of concerns from his supporters that should he succeed in his AU bid, he might drop his 2027 presidential bid.
However, Raila clarified that his AU bid does not amount to quitting politics in the country as he will be still around to provide leadership and advance the opposition agenda.
“I am not going anywhere. Addis Ababa is just two hours from here, I can come and sleep here in Kisii, fly there in the morning, work, and come back in the evening. I will be with you here and whatever you demand, I will honour,” Raila said on Thursday.
Raila has announced his bid for the AU top job and has been lobbying heads of state and governments to support his quest to succeed Moussa Faki in February 2025.
The AU Commission chairperson’s job is a demanding role that demands its occupants to remain politically neutral during their tenure. It is a four-year term renewable once.
It is this provision that has cast doubt on Raila’s possible 2027 presidential bid even as opposition leaders push him to name his successor.
Former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu on Wednesday beseeched Raila to put the coalition in order before his probable exit from local politics for the AUC job.
Raila’s declaration of his bid for the top AU job has created jitters in his political bedroom.
There is haggling over the Official Leader of the Opposition post is eminent following the unanimous adoption of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report a week ago.
The report proposed the creation of the Office of the Official Leader of the Opposition and two deputies and Azimio One Kenya Coalition Party member parties are all eyeing the slots.
The report says the Office should go to the largest party or coalition that garners the second-highest votes in preceding presidential elections.
While speaking on the second day of the Homa Bay Investment Conference, Ngilu implored Raila to give clear directions about his preferred heir as his AU candidature increasingly continues to attract backing from regional leaders.
“Baba, umepangaje? (Baba, how have you planned?),” Ngilu asked Raila to a loud applause and laughter from the crowd.
“You know I’m told to avoid politics here but I don’t think I can avoid politics and I think many of you will not ask, but I have been with Baba for many years in politics,” she added to another rousing applause.
