Raila Odinga To Retain His Political Roles in Kenya After AU Appointment

The ODM Party has clarified about its Party Leader Raila Odinga’s involvement in Kenya’s political scene following his recent appointment as the African Union (AU) High Representative for Infrastructure Development.

During an interview with NTV, National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed told journalists that Raila will continue to hold his position as the Opposition leader.

Mohamed, who had talked to Odinga prior to the interview, said that the former Prime Minister’s appointment as a Special Envoy on infrastructure matters had nothing to do with the Kenyan politics.

He will still remain the NASA coalition leader and will continue discharging his duties as a political party leader," assured Junet.

He made reference to Dlamini Zuma from South Africa, who had taken up a continental job but still played a role in her country’s politics.

Junet also disclosed that Raila’s main office will be in Nairobi with others in South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.

Despite President Uhuru Kenyatta’s hand in Raila’s selection, Mohamed cautioned Kenyans from viewing the appointment from a political lens and instead advised, “Let us not see it as a deal-making arrangement, that is beside the point.”

When the AU intends to make an appointment of that nature, the President of the county from which an individual has been selected is invited to make his recommendations or reservations.

Politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto had called for Odinga to exit local politics upon the assumption of his new role.

The kind of job Raila has been given in South Africa doesn’t allow him to participate in politics, he should leave politics to us,” claimed Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.