Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Thursday, February 29, remarked that him securing a win in the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position will not deter him from vying for president in 2027.
Raila who was speaking during the opening of the Marani Vegetable Aggregation and Marketing Centre in Kisii stated that the decision to drop his bid for the AUC seat and concentrate on a sixth stab for the presidency will be entirely down to him.
This came a day after he stated that he was not retiring from politics.
“If Kenyans will need me for any other job I'll be available, I will take a break from the AU and come,” he stated.
Raila had been under pressure to name his preferred presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
According to the AU laws, the chairman is not allowed to take part in active politics, hence the statement by Raila that he would be forced to take a break from the job.
On why he would leave the lucrative post to engage in local politics, Raila stated that it was because he was still passionate about improving the livelihoods of Kenyans.
"I will come back to work for Kenyans because what we had said we would do I must deliver," he stated referring to his 2022 manifesto.
Additionally, Raila wondered why Kenyans thought he would retire from local politics should he win the AUC chairman position. Clinching the position would require him to operate from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Raila stated that would not be a problem, since he would be willing to commute daily to Addis Ababa giving him enough time to participate in local politics.
The ODM leader's new revelation is set to rattle the Azimio camp with principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa eyeing the top seat themselves.
Raila will also be competing against President William Ruto who has already initiated a continental shuttle diplomacy to help Raila clinch the AUC seat.
