Stop undermining Raila's AU bid, Opiyo Wandayi warns politicians

The National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi has warned Kenyan politicians against making statements that could undermine Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union commission (AU) job.

According to Wandayi, the process of becoming the AU commission chair entails serious and delicate diplomatic engagements both at the continental and international levels.

Speaking after opening a twin laboratory block at St. Augustine Tingare Secondary School in North Uholo location, Siaya County on Saturday March 2, 2024, Wandayi who is also the ODM director of political affairs said it would be better for politicians to keep off the Raila’s bid for the AU job until the matter comes to a logical conclusion.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga (right) with former Nigerian President Obasanjo during a press briefing in Nairobi on February 15, 2024. Photo: TV47

“It is a very intricate and delicate process and therefore, I appeal to my fellow politicians to stay away from this debate,” said Wandayi who is also the Ugunja member of parliament.

He said that only former Prime Minister Raila Odinga or the 54 presidents and leaders of governments in Africa can make statements on the matter.

Wandayi said that Raila knows what he is doing and has the capacity to pursue and deliver the desired results.

He at the same time called on president William Ruto to review and rescind the decision to send a contingent of policemen to Haiti, saying that the country was likely to suffer losses.

The legislator lamented that though the country signed some protocols with Haiti, this was not enough, adding that Kenyans were still asking whether the basic conditions set by a court ruling over the matter had been fulfilled.

“The question of reciprocity where it must be proved that Haiti has similar laws in so far as the participation of Kenyan officers outside the country as pointed out by the court should not be wished away,” stated Wandayi.

“As we speak, there is no legitimate government in Haiti and the government has no capacity to enter into any contractual obligation,” he added..

He wondered why the Kenya Kwanza government is insisting on sending its citizens to a country where the militia had even declared its prime minister a persona non grata.