Kenya Has Unfinished Business With You – Gachagua to Raila After Losing AU Seat

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sent Raila Odinga a heartfelt message following his loss at the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship race.

Taking to social media on Sunday, Gachagua lauded Odinga for putting up a brave fight in the highly contested election on Saturday, February 15.

“Baba, Raila Odinga, you put on a brave fight, elicited energy, resilience, and the indefatigable Lion of Africa. You came in a credible second as you held the Kenyan Flag high in a hotly contested seat of the AUC chairmanship,” Gachagua wrote.

“You did not lose; the majority had their way. The African and the Kenyan spirit lives on. The leap you made motifs the Kenyan optimism and great hope in the continent and the World.”

In a rare show of solidarity with the former Prime Minister, Gachagua noted that the loss in the election did not quantify how capable Odinga was in his leadership for Africa’s top job.

In any case, Gachagua noted, the loss has only set him up to get back into Kenyan politics where he belongs as he had unfinished business.

“Africa needed you most, but God, in His own wisdom, found that Kenya, your motherland, and indeed, we Kenyans, your beloved brothers and sisters, have unfinished business with you as their coveted son as we unshackle our country from recklessness,” Gachagua stated.

“In any case, the outcome at the AU doesn’t, in any way, undermine your leadership and your energy to fix our Nation. Welcome back home, our son Raila Odinga, with your head held high; East or West, home is the best. Take heart, you did Kenya proud.”

The former prime minister was eliminated from the race at the sixth round of voting and Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emerged victorious.

Following his loss, Kenyans expressed mixed reactions with some celebrating and others, especially President William Ruto’s allies expressing their dissatisfaction with the election’s outcome.

Although Odinga quickly conceded defeat, a section of Kenyan lawmakers even floated the idea of pulling Kenya out of the African Union (AU). They include Homabay Member of Parliament Peter Opondo Kaluma who stated, ”I will petition the withdrawal of the East African Community from the African Union.”

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina also shared similar views when he wrote, “Thank you President William Ruto for your effort. You did your best and we appreciate it. Now we must think of the future of Africa. Why not divide the African Union into two? Why not?”

Gachagua’s solidarity with Odinga comes at a time when the former Deputy President has been siding with the opposition side which the former Prime Minister has seemingly left after he joined hands with President Ruto to campaign for his AUC seat.