Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s defeat in the African Union Commission chair election has prompted discussions among Kenyan politicians about the country’s potential withdrawal from the AU. Prominent voices, including MPs Peter Kaluma and Samuel Atandi, have expressed intentions to reassess Kenya’s financial contributions and participation in the AU, while Senator Ledama Olekina calls for structural reforms. The overall sentiment reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the AU’s influence on member states.
The proposition for Kenya’s potential exit from the African Union (AU) has emerged following former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s defeat in the election for chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). This election, conducted during the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, resulted in Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Youssouf, winning the position after seven rounds of voting, securing 33 votes from the 49 heads of state present.
Odinga’s campaign faced significant opposition, particularly from Youssouf and Richard Randriamandrato, Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister. The outcome has ignited strong reactions from Odinga’s supporters, resulting in discussions regarding Kenya’s future engagement with the AU. Prominent voices, such as Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, have even suggested Kenya should consider withdrawing from the AU and explore the potential exit from the East African Community (EAC).
The EAC includes eight member states: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. Additionally, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has proposed that Kenya reassess its financial obligations to the AU, advocating for a significant reduction in contributions and further evaluating the option of exit. This discontent highlights broader issues concerning the AU’s operational structure and its responsiveness to member states’ interests.
Senator Ledama Olekina from Narok also contributed to the discourse by acknowledging President William Ruto’s support for Odinga while urging a reconsideration of the AU’s structures. Olekina posed a provocative inquiry regarding the potential division of the AU into two separate entities to better serve its member states’ diverse needs.
The discussions surrounding Kenya’s potential withdrawal from the African Union following Raila Odinga’s electoral defeat at the AUC illustrate growing discontent with the AU’s leadership structure and financial commitments. This sentiment reflects deeper concerns among Kenyan politicians regarding the efficacy of the AU in serving member nations’ interests. While some advocate for a thorough reevaluation of Kenya’s role in the AU, others emphasize the need for structural reforms within the organization itself.
Original Source: www.mwakilishi.com
