Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s allies now claim that the loss for the position of the African Union Commission leadership was because he put the interest of the African content above his personal ambition.

Raila pulled out of the race in the sixth round to hand over the leadership to his political competitor, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Youssouf.

Yesterday at a press conference in Addis Ababa, both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza leaders led by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed said that Raila emerged as the front-runner in the first two rounds of voting.

“However, after six rounds in the spirit of Pan Africanism, he chose to step down, recognising that after seven rounds without an outright winner, one securing at least two-thirds of the vote, the elections were likely to be deferred possibly to the next summit,” said Junet.

According to Junet, the move echoes the precedent set in 2012 when a similar election between Jean Ping and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had to be postponed from January to July due to the absence of a decisive outcome.

“As a true Pan-Africanist Raila Odinga once again put the interests of the continent before personal ambitions, demonstrating statesmanship and unwavering commitment to African Unity and progress,” said Junet.

Exemplary leadership

While thanking all those who supported Raila’s candidacy, Junet said that President William Ruto gave unwavering support on the AUC elections and called on Kenyans to give Raila a well-deserved welcome when he jets back home.

Junet, a close ally of Raila, described his party leader as a person who has shown exemplary leadership and sacrifices in the service of Africa are a source of immense pride for the nation.

On his part, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot charged that the outcome went against their expectation in Addis.

“We have come to accept that sometimes elections don’t go the way that we had wished to do. However, as a country and as a leadership we are extremely proud of the journey that he walked. He gave a great account of himself and every patriotic Kenyan is extremely proud of Prime Minister,” said Cheruiyot.

National Assembly Minority Whip Mille Odhiambo congratulated Raila for the effort he put for coming on very strong for the AUC position.

“Even though it did not go the way we had intended, we are still very proud of Baba and we know that Baba still has a lot to offer in Africa and beyond. We say congratulations to Baba, and to all those who supported him, I say thank you,” said Millie.

Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda charged that the loss that Raila suffered by withdrawing at the sixth round does not in any way affect the broad-based arrangement.

“I foresee in Kenya the union between ODM and UDA and other parties getting even stronger,” said Ojienda.

In the elections, Raila faced Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.

With 49 heads of state partaking in the vote, the winner needed two-thirds of the total votes, totalling 33. The opposition chief said he is ready to come back home noting that there was a lot to be done.