Wiper Party leader Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka has said Raila Odinga “saw dust” in the African Union Commission (AUC) race due to leadership issues linked to President William Ruto.
Speaking in Kitui County on Sunday, Musyoka claimed that Odinga’s bid was doomed after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc rejected Ruto’s leadership, leading them to back Djibouti’s candidate, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a past church service. Photo: Kalonzo Musyoka Source: Facebook
“The 16-member SADC bloc had issues with William Ruto’s leadership. This is what caused this terrible loss to the country,” Musyoka stated.
He accused Ruto of failing to build strong diplomatic ties, which allegedly cost Kenya the AUC seat.
SADC had initially supported Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato, weakening Odinga’s chances in the first rounds of voting.
While Odinga led in the first two rounds with 20 and 22 votes, he was overtaken by Youssouf in the third round.
The Djiboutian candidate’s support grew steadily, reaching 26 votes in the fifth round, while Odinga remained stuck at 21.
Kalonzo Musyoka addresses a crowd after attending a church service on February 16, 2024. Photo: Kalonzo Musyoka Source: Facebook
As the race intensified, Odinga lost further ground, and after the sixth round, he was eliminated from the contest.
Youssouf then secured the required two-thirds majority with 33 votes in the seventh round, replacing outgoing chair Moussa Faki of Chad.
Musyoka blamed Ruto’s failed mediation efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) crisis for alienating Kenya from SADC leaders.
He further criticised Ruto for not supporting former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s peace initiatives in the region.
Kalonzo interacts with supporters. Photo: Kalonzo Musyoka Source: Facebook
Despite the loss, Odinga has urged his supporters not to blame Ruto, maintaining a diplomatic stance. However, Musyoka and other opposition leaders insist that poor regional relations under Ruto’s leadership played a major role in Odinga’s defeat.
