Lawyer Nelson Havi has said that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will resume its active opposition role in parliament should Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship, Raila Odinga, lose his bid in the upcoming elections.

Speaking on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, during a televised interview with one of the leading local TV stations, Havi argued that Raila has a history of behaving in a certain way whenever he does not get what he wants.

Havi on status quo

According to Havi, the status quo will be restored and ODM will resume its position as the opposition party in the National Assembly and the Senate, and resume its active role as opposition, in the likely event that Raila loses his AUC bid.

“Raila Amollo Odinga has been in government in various capacities since 1997, and we have always seen what happens when he doesn’t get what he wants. In the likely event that he loses this seat, then the status quo will be restored, and I foresee ODM taking their position in the National Assembly and the Senate and the majority party and resuming their active opposition role,” Havi stated.

Havi’s remarks come just a day after Raila said that participating in the polls is a major win for Kenya, whether he wins the seat or not.

Raila who spoke during a prayer session at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, February 10, 2025, also expressed confidence that the country will emerge victorious in the Saturday, February 15, AUC polls.

AUC Chairmanship polls

The AUC chairmanship election will be conducted in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for February 12-13, 2025, while the second will be between February 15-16, 2025.

In the first phase, the AU Executive Council, comprising foreign ministers from member states, will elect and appoint the commissioners who will oversee various portfolios within the AU Commission.

This will set the stage for the second phase, the highly anticipated process that will see candidates vying for the top leadership position elected after the opening ceremony of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State.

To win, a candidate must secure a two-thirds majority, and candidates may face elimination after three rounds of voting if they fail to secure the majority.

If no candidate secures the necessary majority after three rounds, only the two candidates with the highest votes will be eligible for the further voting process.