Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has predicted that President William Ruto will propel Azimio leader Raila Odinga to the presidency of Africa.
Ngunyi’s comments follow Raila’s announcement of his interest in becoming the next chairperson of the African Union Commission.
According to Ngunyi, despite President Ruto allocating at least 10 ministerial slots to individuals from the Mt Kenya region, the community has been hesitant in its support for him.
“Dear Kikuyus, continue playing ‘hard to get’ with Ruto after he gave you 10 out of 22 Cabinet slots. But watch how one man, Ruto, will make Raila President of Africa. Then you will realise that you probably do not matter. Ruto’s next stop is the Luo Nation. Clever!” Ngunyi said on X.
He suggests that Mt Kenya will witness President Ruto elevating Raila to a higher position, indicating a shift in political alliances.
Ngunyi believes that Ruto’s strategy is strategic, positioning him to gain the support of the Luo community as his next political allies.
Ngunyi, who has recently shifted his allegiance to Ruto’s side, occasionally critiques both Ruto and his allies’ political maneuvers.
Raila’s declaration to vie for the African Union Commission chairmanship coincided with the AU Executive Council’s ordinary session in Addis Ababa. Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi is expected to mobilize support for Raila during this session.
Raila’s candidacy has received support from former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who emphasized Raila’s viability for the role.
Obasanjo, who facilitated talks between Ruto and Raila after the 2022 elections, endorsed Raila as part of the agreement brokered between the two leaders.
As a member state must endorse a candidate for the AU Commission chairman, Ruto’s administration will likely champion Raila’s candidacy.
Following Obasanjo’s endorsement of Raila, he met with President Ruto to discuss further strategies.
