Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga admitted that he quit his job at the African Union (AU) owing to the nature of engagements he was expected to undertake in his position as the High Representative for Infrastructure.
In an interview with KTN News on Tuesday, February 28, the former Premier indicated that he was getting overwhelmed as he had two roles - one at the AU and the other, engagements within the country.
Raila noted that he was often required to travel out of the country which he argued ate up took much of his time.
"I have worked here in Kenya and also have other duties at the AU. The work was demanding in that I had to travel severally.
"I could go to South Africa, then Kigali, Rwanda, and then to Congo severally. I have done the work for four years," Raila stated.
Therefore, he requested the AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki to allow him to leave the position despite facing resistance.
"When I was in Dakar, I told the AUC Chair, Faki, that I was seeking to leave and he told me that he would think about it.
"He really wanted me to stay on and I told him that the work had become too much. That is when he wrote to me allowing me to take leave," he stated.
The former Premier also reiterated that he was not sacked as was speculated by a section of the Kenya Kwanza leaders led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Raila's term came to an end on February 19 with the news emerging five days later on February 23. The ODM boss was appointed to the position in October 2022.
In the letter addressed to Raila by Faki, it was noted that his responsibilities were being taken over by a department in the continental body.
"The transformation of the NEPAD Agency to African Union Development Agency. NEPAD has now been completed, with a full mandate to implement the Continental agenda on infrastructure," read the letter in part.
