Azimio boss Raila Odinga will still be a contender in the 2027 General Election even if he secures the role of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, Public Service CS Moses Kuria says.
According to Kuria, Odinga’s pursuit of the AUC position is merely a way to stay occupied while awaiting the next presidential contest.
“Baba is filling time, so for him to get something productive to do is good instead of wasting a good brain. He was not born to be chairman of AUC; he was born to be a politician in national politics,” Kuria stated on Spice FM.
Kuria suggested that if Odinga secures the AUC appointment, he will likely resign from the position before completing the four-year term and pass it on to another East African leader.
Kuria explained, “People who’ve got no bearing of history think that Baba is going anywhere. Baba is coming back. He will do two years. He is going to call it short and maybe give it to another East African to finish for him, maybe Kikwete, as he takes care of some urgent business.”
Despite these speculations, Kuria expressed his support for Odinga’s bid for the AU job, emphasizing the potential economic benefits for the region.
“I am supporting Raila Odinga to the AU, so to have representation of people of the caliber of Raila Odinga in AU is paramount [and is] good for our politics, for East Africa, and we’ll do anything possible to ensure that he gets that position.”
The AUC chairperson position is set to become vacant next year as the current occupant, Chad’s Moussa Faki, completes his two-term tenure.
