Amisi praises Ruto’s efforts in Raila’s AUC chair campaign, acknowledges geopolitical challenges

Amisi praises Ruto’s efforts in Raila’s AUC chair campaign, acknowledges geopolitical challenges

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has praised President William Ruto for his dedication in campaigning for Raila Odinga’s bid to become the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), despite Odinga failing to secure the position.

In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, February 19, Amisi acknowledged the President’s efforts and described them as commendable. He noted that Ruto navigated unfamiliar geopolitical challenges during the AUC campaigns.

The lawmaker also suggested that the Head of State should reassess his team’s handling of foreign relations.

“For the first time, I believe Ruto worked hard in unfamiliar uncharted waters of complex geopolitical theatre in AUC campaigns. The efforts were highly conspicuous. Kudos H.E William Ruto. Re-look at the handlers of your foreign relations. As a human being, you are not required to know everything! Mghala muue na haki umpe!” Amisi noted.

Campaigning

President Ruto took an active role in securing support for Raila’s candidacy, emphasizing the importance of presenting a strong and competent leader for the AUC. The official launch of Odinga’s candidacy took place at State House, Nairobi, where Ruto stressed the need for a qualified leader to drive Africa’s transformation.

“We believe that offering a highly qualified, experienced, and competent candidate to lead the AU Commission is perfectly consistent with our commitment to the transformation of our continent through our institutions of Pan-African Unity,” Ruto said during the launch.

Raila defends Ruto

Raila Odinga defended President Ruto following Kenya’s unsuccessful AUC chairmanship bid.

Speaking during a dinner held in his honour in Addis Ababa on Saturday, February 15, 2025, the former Prime Minister urged against pointing fingers, emphasizing that everyone involved had put in their best efforts.

“We accept the results and I have congratulated my competitor who has won and I wish him all the best. There will be no blame games that will be played,” he stated.

The opposition leader clarified that his decision to vie for the AU top seat was entirely his own, with the government stepping in later to support his campaign.

“I made the decision (to run for AU chairmanship) myself. I want to say that Ruto did everything possible. He gave me all the logistical support that I needed to travel the length and breadth of the continent. We were sure to win. However, other factors came into play, and those factors are going to be known,” Raila added.

“There will be another time and other things to do.”

Raila’s bid for the AUC chairmanship ended after an intense voting process in Addis Ababa. The contest, which stretched across six rounds, saw him initially leading in the first round with 20 votes, followed by Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf with 18 votes and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato with 10.

His momentum continued into the second and third rounds, where he garnered 22 and 20 votes, respectively. However, Mahmoud gained traction, overtaking Raila in the fourth round with 25 votes against his 21.

By the time the fifth and sixth rounds arrived, Mahmoud had extended his lead, leading Raila to step out of the race.