NIS Boss Noordin Haji, Ichung’wah, Nyamu Among Notable Leaders Accompanying Raila to AUC

Over the past few days, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has camped in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as the elections of the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship enter the final stretch.

In the midst of all this, a multitude of Kenyan leaders and government officials have accompanied Raila to Addis in a show of support and patriotism. 

Notably, government officials such as National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have been seen in the Ethiopian capital.

The presence of Kenya’s spy chief has raised eyebrows with many questioning the motive behind his trip to Ethiopia. However, preliminary reports indicate that Haji’s presence might indicate that strategic security meetings are expected to take place on the sidelines.

Various Members of Parliament (MPs), Governors and Senators showing up in Addis have gotten a mixed reaction from Kenyans with questions raised on the source of funds financing these trips.

Reports indicated that close to 40 Members of Parliament made the trip out of their own pocket- according to Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. This is compared to the four MPs who had been funded by the August House in their various parliamentary committee capacities to head to Ethiopia.

Famous leaders such as Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, Dagoretti MP Beatrice Elachi, and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo have all made the trip to Ethiopia.

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, Bahati MP Irene Njoki, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Nyando MP Jared Okello have all been spotted in Addis pledging their support to Raila. Other MPs seen in Addis are Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Belgut MP Nelson Koech and Makadara MP George Aladwa.

Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek, Awendo MP Walter Owino, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, and Kaispul MP Ong’ondo Were rounded off the list of MPs observed by Kenyans.co.ke present at Addis.

Governors Anyang Nyong’o, Gladys Wanga, Abdulswamad Shariff, Kenneth Lusaka and Joseph Ole Lenku made the trip to Ethiopia as the elections reached a fever pitch. Nyong’o and Wanga travelled in their capacities as interim party leader and national chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), respectively.

Notable Senators seen in Ethiopia were Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Godfrey Osotsi, and nominated senator Karen Nyamu, who were seen in the company of other elected leaders who made the trip. 

The high-level delegation is headed by Prime CS Mudavadi, and it also includes Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei. Other leaders present in Addis are senior economic advisor Moses Kuria and former Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria. ODM Youth Wing Member Kasmuel McOure was also spotted in attendance. 

A return ticket purchased from national carrier Kenya Airways goes for Ksh175,000, with bookings at five-star hotels within the capital upwards of Ksh30,000 per night. 

The AUC chair elections are set to be conducted today and will pit Raila against Djibouti’s Mohamed Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. Heads of state and governments of AU member states are expected to elect a new chair via a secret ballot.