Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has directly linked ODM leader Raila Odinga’s failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position to President William Ruto’s foreign policy missteps.
Sifuna first made the claims during a heated National Assembly debate on February 20 and reiterated them during an exclusive interview with Citizen TV on February 21.
According to Sifuna, Raila’s loss to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was not due to his credentials but rather Kenya’s controversial diplomatic stances, which alienated potential supporters across Africa.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna speaks during a past event. Photo: Edwin Sifuna Source: Facebook
“I want to say very clearly that there was nothing wrong with our candidate. The problem, as I see it, is the bad manners of the republic that fronted him,” Sifuna remarked during the debate.
The senator criticized President Ruto’s administration for adopting policies that contradicted Raila’s democratic principles.
One of the major points of contention was Kenya’s decision to host opposition groups from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a move that Sifuna argued undermined regional stability.
“We were all shocked when leaders of a rebel movement were granted a platform here in Kenya. Raila is a democrat; he would never support the upending of power outside democratic processes,” Sifuna stated.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna speaking during a past event. Photo: Edwin Sifuna Source: Facebook
He further highlighted Kenya’s conflicting positions on global issues, particularly regarding the ongoing Middle East crisis.
While Raila has publicly expressed support for the Palestinian cause, Kenya’s foreign policy has been less clear, leading to confusion among African leaders who were expected to back his bid.
“Raila has been consistent in advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people.
But what is the position of the sponsoring country? When Kenya takes an opposing stance, it presents a diplomatic nightmare,” Sifuna argued.
Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Hon Raila Odinga during his AUC bid launch in State House on August 27. Photo: Raila Odinga Source: Facebook
Additionally, Sifuna blamed Kenya’s miscalculations in its AUC lobbying efforts.
He accused Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi of failing to build consensus among African nations, leading to Raila’s loss.
“The diplomatic failures at all levels during this campaign are undeniable. The responsible officials must be held accountable,” Sifuna concluded.
President William Ruto speaking dyuring a past event. Photo: William Ruto Source: Facebook
His remarks intensify the ongoing debate on whether Ruto’s administration mishandled Raila’s AUC bid and further strained Kenya’s diplomatic relations on the continent.
