Kenyans and politicians across the country have quickly voiced their reactions after the results of the African Union Commission chairmanship elections that saw Kenya’s candidate Raila Odinga lose.
Raila lost after he was eliminated in the sixth round, with Djibouti’s candidate Mohamoud Youssouf clinching the top seat with 33 votes in the seventh round.
In Raila’s backyard of Kondele, Kisumu County, residents erupted in “Ruto Must Go” chants after news of Raila’s loss broke.
Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed the residents, who were watching from a big screen, visibly distraught after learning of their popular leader’s loss.
Youths in Kondele, Kisumu chanting “Ruto Must Go” after Raila Odinga loses AUC chairmanship to Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
Photo
Nation Africa
In the same breath, Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma seemingly expressed his disappointment with the results indicating he would start a petition to remove the East African Community from the African Union.
“I will petition the withdrawal of the East African Community from the African Union,” Kaluma averred.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot also voiced his reaction in the aftermath of the results in a cryptic post on his X platform. This post seemingly gave the reasons behind Raila’s loss. “Religion, France, Region,” Cheruiyot stated.
Meanwhile, Kenyans from Nyeri, in the Mt Kenya region, met the new development with raucous celebration, adding that Raila’s loss would help me focus on pertinent issues facing the country.
The wananchi cited that Raila failing to clinch the seat would enable him to whip up members of his Azimio coalition to keep the government in check. This was particularly after a recent court ruling recognizing Azimio as the majority coalition in the National Assembly.
“We are so happy. We want him to come back and resume politics in the country. He should now go back to being in the Opposition and spill all the government secrets,” one of the residents at Nyeri stated.
Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai, an ally of Raila however dismissed the sentiments of the residents of Nyeri. “Baba Raila Odinga is not coming back to be used to fight Ruto,” he noted.
Kiambu Senator Karung’o wa Thang’wa offered a word of encouragement to Raila but at the same time gave him a reminder of the state of the political scene in Kenya.
Rao, you fought your fight and gave it your best. But know this—you are not the problem. Come home so that we cry together. NB: Remember you have the Majority in parliament,” he stated.
On the flipside, Mombasa residents met the news with gloom blaming Raila’s loss on the move by the South African Development Community (SADC) to endorse Richard Randriamandrato, Madagascar’s candidate. This seemingly swung the race out of Raila’s favour with reports indicating that the majority of SADC’s member states opted to vote for Youssouf after Richard’s exit.
At the same time, residents from Mombasa emphasized the need to keep the peace and unity even after Raila’s loss.
It remains to be seen the next steps Raila will take in the wake of his loss. The loss is expected to be met with immense disappointment from members of Raila’s camp considering the vast amount of resources spent in campaigns. All eyes will be on Raila and Ruto on how the dynamics of their relationship amidst the recent events.
A photo collage of President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. PHOTO/ William Ruto.
Kenyans.co.ke
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