Nandi county senator Samson Cherargei at a past event. IMAGE: FILE
In Summary:
- Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei outlines conditions for Kenya Kwanza’s support towards Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
- Cherargei asserts Raila must apologize for the 2023 demonstrations and align himself with President Ruto’s administration to earn Kenya’s endorsement.
- The call follows Defense CS Aden Duale’s assurance of full government support for Raila’s AUC candidacy, while Raila expresses readiness for the role.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has laid out prerequisites for Kenya Kwanza’s endorsement of Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Cherargei maintains that for Raila to gain the backing of the Kenya Kwanza administration, he must meet three key conditions.
He stressed the importance of Raila’s allegiance to the Ruto administration, as it is crucial for Kenya’s support. This loyalty, he believes, is pivotal given that the AU position is influenced by the Kenyan government, not the ODM party.
Cherargei conveyed these points during a school funds drive in Nandi County on Saturday, emphasizing the significance of Raila’s alignment with the current administration for his AU bid to garner support.
Additionally, Cherargei asserts that Raila must apologize for the 2023 demonstrations and align himself with President Ruto’s administration to earn Kenya’s endorsement. This demand reflects the senator’s insistence on accountability and political alignment in exchange for support.
“Ya pili, akuwe loyal kwa serikali ya Rais William Ruto na Gachagua. Kwa sababu kiti ya AU haitaombwa na ODM itaombwa na serikali ya Kenya,” said Cherargei during a school funds drive in Nandi County.
In Translation: “Secondly, he should be loyal to the administration of President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua. This is because an AU position will not be lobbied for by ODM but rather by the government of Kenya,” said Cherargei during a school funds drive in Nandi County.
This stance aligns with Defense CS Aden Duale’s recent declaration of the government’s unequivocal backing for Raila’s AUC candidacy. Duale praised Raila’s qualifications for the role and highlighted President Ruto’s commitment to ensuring Raila’s success.
Raila, in his announcement of the bid earlier in the month, expressed readiness for the AUC chairmanship, citing his past experience as AU High Representative for Infrastructure.
“I am inclined to accept the challenge and I am ready and I offer myself to be of service. I have asked my friend, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, to continue to be a good ambassador and talk to other people,” he said then, indicating his preparedness for the role and his efforts to garner support.