3 Raila Allies Threaten to Petition Kenya's Exit From AU After Raila's AUC Elimination

by Frankline Oduor on Sunday, 16 February 2025 - 7:31 am

President William Ruto shares a light moment with fellow dignitaries ahead of the African Union Chairperson election in the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PCS

Kenyan lawmakers announced on Sunday that they would petition for radical changes following Kenya's defeat at the African Union Commission, including the withdrawal of Kenya from key union bodies.

Reacting to the loss, opposition leaders, led by Homabay Member of Parliament Peter Opondo Kaluma, announced that they were considering a petition to remove the East African Community from the African Union.

Kaluma, a staunch ally of Raila Odinga, Kenya's candidate for the AUC seat, shared the information on his X account, shortly after Kenya was defeated.

''I will petition the withdrawal of the East African Community from the African Union,'' Kaluma shared.

A photo of Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma.

Photo

Peter Kaluma

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, also in an X post, urged for future considerations to divide AU into two following the defeat.

''Thank you President William Ruto for your effort. You did your best and we appreciate it. Now we must think of the future of Africa. Why not divide the African Union into two? Why not? Olekina shared.

Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi also maintained that Kenya should limit its financial commitments to the AU and exit following the loss.

''In the short run, Kenya must now limit its financial commitments to AU and in the long run, exit,'' Atandi shared in a statement shared on X.

Meanwhile, activists led by Hussein Khalid and Hanifa Farsafi also reacted to the loss with the latter claiming that the government would not be trusted by other African leaders to run the AUC with instances of human rights abuses. Khalid on the other hand called for Odinga's retirement.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, reacting to the loss stated that Odinga was a qualified candidate urging that Kenya figure out what to get right in future bids.

''For the record, Kenya has never before fronted such a qualified, decorated, and ideologically anchored candidate for an international job,'' Kindiki maintained.

''Our loss despite such a superior candidate with a clear agenda for the continent and after such an energetic campaign requires that we figure out what else to get right in future bids.''

Environment CS Aden Duale on the other hand stated that Africa's journey toward unity and prosperity gained momentum with Odinga's AUC candidacy, calling for a united and prosperous Africa following the win of Youssouf.

In the Saturday, February 15 vote, Raila was narrowly eliminated from his bid to replace Moussa Faki in the sixth round.

This was the second loss for Kenya at the regional body, following the loss former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed suffered in August 2018.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti was voted the seventh African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson since its establishment in 2002. The other candidate, Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar, finished last.

He won the elections in the seventh round after Raila was eliminated. Youssouf garnered 33 votes to clinch the seat for the next four years.

Leaving AU

There is no clear legal process for a country to exit the African Union (AU). If a nation decides to withdraw, it would likely need to provide formal notification, settle financial obligations, and engage in diplomatic discussions.

Leaving the AU could lead to economic and political isolation, as membership offers access to important trade agreements, peacekeeping initiatives, and regional decision-making bodies. Should Kenya consider an exit, it could significantly change its influence in Africa and affect its regional alliances.

Since the AU was founded in 2002, no country has officially withdrawn from it. However, Morocco did leave its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity, in 1984 due to its discontent with the organization's recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a contested area in Western Sahara.

Morocco stayed outside the continental organization for more than 30 years before rejoining the AU in 2017 after considerable diplomatic efforts.