‘Race for AUC seat is not a matter of life and death for Raila’ – Didmus Barasa tells off critics
By Valerian Khakayi, January 12, 2025
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has dismissed online critics who are bashing Raila Oding’s African Union Commission (AUC) candidature.
In a statement on Sunday, January 12, 2025, Barasa said that winning the AUC seat is not extremely important for the former prime minister adding that those criticising his candidature should be aware that their criticisms will not affect Raila’s political career.
“The race for the African Union Commission (AUC) seat is not a matter of life and death for @RailaOdinga! Ifikie all kamati ya roho chafu members online,” Didmus called out critics.
Raila on his chairmanship bid
His remarks come hours after the former prime minister rallied his home tuff to shun divisive politics and remain peaceful regardless of the election’s outcome.
In addition, he called on his Nyanza backyard to remain united and continue with regular consultations even as AUC elections draw closer.
Raila, who spoke at a funeral on Saturday, January 11, 2025, indicated that nothing was wrong even if he failed to clinch the AUC chairmanship bid.
He made it clear that he would retreat and continue serving the people. Nonetheless, Raila remained optimistic, insisting that his win at the AUC election would help steer prosperity in Kenya and the entire continent.
“When the vote has been cast, we will know whether I have won or not. If we win it is okay and even if we don’t win, there is nothing wrong,” Raila stated,
“Am I not just here? If I do not win, I will be going nowhere… If I win, it is good because I will work there and do so many things that will even help us here. If I lose, will I not just be here with you and do everything together as a community?” Raila added.
Raila and Didmus’s remarks come after a section of Raila’s supporters also issued a statement condemning those fighting his AUC candidature.
AUC elections
The AUC elections are scheduled to take place in February 2025 during the AU Union Summit. Since the start of his campaigns, the former Prime Minister managed to meet with several heads of state with some endorsing his candidature.
Countries which have so far agreed to back his candidature include DRC, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, Burundi, Seychelles, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Algeria and the Republic of the Congo.
Raila is running for the seat against Djibouti’s foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former Madagascar’s foreign minister Richard James Randriamandrato.
The race for the African Union Commission (AUC) seat is not a matter of life and death for @RailaOdinga! Ifikie all KAMATI YA ROHO CHAFU MEMBERS online.#FufuaICC #StarAcademy Kairo pic.twitter.com/Z365ylOdfo
— Hon Didmus Barasa, MP Kimilili (@DidmusWaBarasa) January 12, 2025