
Kenya: United Democratic Alliance (UDA) – Press Release (16.03.2024)








“I am ready to go for the chairmanship of the African Union. I have been consulting widely. I think I am ready to serve the continent of Africa. Africa deserves better” – Raila Odinga, Azimio Leader (KBC Channel1News, 15.02.2024).
By the time of 2025 there is a need for a new Chairman of the African Union after Moussa Faki Mahamat who has held the office in two terms and was only allowed to be re-elected once after being elected first in 2017. Therefore, his term is in the endgame now and this is why Odinga comes into play.
Raila Odinga the “Baba” of Kenya is now trying to sway himself internationally. Now he cannot run on the remarks or the tales of old in Kenya. Odinga must make himself heard and recognized across the Continent. If he wants this… he must seek allies and fast. Because he needs them and they need to vouch for him.
Odinga cannot trust the East African Community (EAC) has his backing. That first has to announced and he needs sureties from President Ruto on that front. Odinga needs to trust Ruto and that he will play offensive for his cause. Ruto have to say that their candidate and who he wants to get elected. If that happens and God willing… then Odinga might have backing from other EAC states like Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Somalia, and South Sudan. These can possibly stand behind him, if he is the official candidate of Kenya and the Head of State tries to sell him to the neighbors. However, that is far from enough.
That’s where the trouble remains. We cannot even be sure if the IGAD nations of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan wants him. Kenyan diplomacy hasn’t been strong in IGAD and at this point. The goodwill of Juba and South Sudan can help Odinga, but we don’t know if that is enough.
The ECOWAS and SADC nations are whole another ballgame. Where several factors of interests in combination of old grudges. There is nothing set in stone. Odinga have to play and be cordial with the francophone nations too. These has to feel supported and that his weight matters. We can even wonder if the Northern nations like Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, or Egypt will ever vote for him.
Then you have the Comores, Cape Verde, Madagascar, and other island nations where you can wonder if he will have any sort of function or possibility to reach. It is hard enough seeing Odinga getting the votes of Niger, Mali, or Burkina Faso. Unless he wants to be a challenger to the old order and wants to be the future in the African Union (AU). That’s something to be seen, but then he will alienate Nigeria or even Ghana for that matter. Therefore, it isn’t a easy game to play.
We can wonder how Odinga will play this one out. He has campaigned all his life for Presidency. That’s how it feels like and he has fought for his position all the time. This is why his up to the task. Alas, that might also be his disadvantage, as he will play by the rules that has been the standard in his nation. Odinga might try to think and consider the implications, as if it was elections in Kenya.
Raila Odinga is a seasoned politician and a man of all seasons. He can stand on his own. While this will be a burden. We can wonder if he is capable or this will be a solo mission that will pre-occupy him. Because some will feel that his leaving a chapter behind and someone else can take his place. However, until his elected and gotten into office. The ones willing to do so… should chill and await further instructions. Odinga will not mess around and will act swiftly.
Raila is a character and a leader who has been tested. We can wonder if he will use the formula of Building Bridges or the OKOA vibes. Hard to know really… but he must sell his candidacy and get feedback that they want him. Unless he wants to run on vibes and not organize it correctly.
This is a free for all and you can wonder if it will have any setbacks. Whatever it is… Harambee House should be happy and so should everyone else. This will take time and be costly for Odinga. He will not be as involved or able to test the authorities in Kenya. That’s a gift to Ruto in itself. As Odinga has to travel, experience and be in talks across the continent. There is nothing given here, and he should know…
He has played with fire and been burned. Odinga knows the price of losing. Surely, he wants to avoid that this time. Peace.







President William Ruto will now use the chance and continue his lifestyle. Not that the President will be without house or board. No, he has all the perks and will lavish as his used too. Even as the State House is under renovation for two months. That is just giving him reasons to visit the other state lodges of the government.
He could use the time to be a foreign dignitary and plan working visits to other destinations. That would be typical him. Go to multi-national conferences and be part of the foreign policy. Just so he can make Mudavadi a side-kick and lesser of prominent figure in his cabinet. Not like anyone should outshine Ruto regardless.
The President has now a reason to be abroad and be visiting nations. While the other ministries or government entities are told to tighten their belts. The President gets time to spend elsewhere and not the “ordinary work weeks”. These next two months we should expect him to visit every corner of the world.
We shouldn’t be surprised if he went to the Middle East, Asia, Oceania or America. This President want to see the mountains of Europe too, if he gets a chance and maybe he can hold talks with Biya in Switzerland for all we know. Just so he can get some tricks for longevity and keeping himself in office for life.
It would be easy to see Ruto in South Africa or other nations on the continent. Maybe even visit Kampala to soften the blow of the fuel scandal of late, which has made the Ugandans change their imports through Tanzania instead of Kenya. That would be spending with a purpose and not seeing the sights.
Ruto has enough work to do and the usage of public reserves to refurbish or renovate the State House seems like a total waste. In some regards it is, because it isn’t a direct government service entity. It is more for the publicity and the image of the Republic. Which is fine and dandy, but it doesn’t serve more food on the plates of the ones living under duress.
We know that Ruto has a home in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu County so surely he can work from “home” to if he please. Secondly, we know he has estates and other possible prospects too. It isn’t like the President is homeless and has to jump on a jet. However, we know he prefers that and enjoys the spoils of the office. That’s why he takes every chance he gets to be abroad and serve as “His Excellency” there.
Since at home he has a workload and has to deliver. Yes, he comes to churches and functions where he drops empty promises or hot air. Nevertheless, that is what got him here and it’s his modus operandi. That’s why people cannot expect more of him. His a self-serving person who seeks to enrich himself and the State House has to ooze wealth!
William Samoei Ruto won’t be here in office to cater or try to deliver anything substantial. He has gotten away with being subpar and being a publicity stunt his whole career. Where he has navigated the political spectrum and been able to upgrade his office one step at a time. Now that his at the top. We shouldn’t expect magic or supernatural results. That’s not who Ruto is and he can just sell a story, but not implement it.
With the recent news and knowledge of how he has spent his time in office already. We know he will travel excessive and be less in Kenya. He will be outside Kenya and feel the luxurious vacation spots or be part of expensive conferences on the public’s dime. That’s who he is and now he cannot return to the “State House”. Neither will he work from Sugoi or anywhere for that matter.
I think he will pack his suitcase and find his next destination. Peace.



