President William Ruto has refuted claims that his backing of Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position was driven by political self-interest.
Speaking in Addis Ababa on Sunday, Ruto clarified that his support stemmed from Kenya’s broader interests, emphasizing that Raila’s leadership vision aligned with the country’s aspirations for the continental bloc.
“When he (Raila) announced his intention to vie for the AUC chairmanship, I assured him of my support. It was not about politics, not about 2022 or 2027,” Ruto stated.
“It was about backing the only Kenyan who had expressed interest in a position our country has long sought.”
His remarks came in response to speculation from political analysts suggesting that his endorsement of Raila was a strategic move to eliminate competition in the 2027 presidential race.
President Ruto made the comments a day after Raila lost the AUC election to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The President reaffirmed that he had mobilized government resources and offered personal support to Raila’s campaign, fulfilling his promise. He commended the former Prime Minister for his dedication throughout the campaign process.
“Raila Odinga did not disappoint. He gave his best effort, met all the key stakeholders, and effectively articulated his vision. Even critics acknowledged that he outperformed others in the debate,” Ruto said.
He made these remarks while addressing a delegation of Kenyan Members of Parliament who had traveled to Addis Ababa to support Raila’s candidacy.
Reflecting on the Gen Z-led anti-government protests of June 25, 2024, Ruto described them as a turning point for the country. The protests led him to integrate Raila’s allies into his broad-based government, a move widely viewed as an effort to stabilize his administration amid growing public discontent.
In his address to the same group of MPs, Raila expressed gratitude for Ruto’s backing, dismissing criticism that the President had not done enough to support his bid.
“There will be many claims—that I didn’t campaign hard enough, that I’m too old, or that Ruto’s support was not genuine. But the truth is, the President did everything within his power to support this campaign. He provided all the logistical backing I needed and facilitated my meetings with leaders across the continent,” Raila affirmed.
