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Hitherto opposition leader Raila Odinga has announced his withdrawal from active local politics. This is both good and bad news.
His looming figure has often overshadowed ambitious politicians who could not get out of his shadow or overcome his seemingly unassailable political influence, but now have the chance to prove their mettles.
To them, it is good news. His leaving will, as well, expose those in the opposition who have nothing to offer except to ride on Raila’s name to fame. To them, it is bad news.
Raila’s name is synonymous with Kenyan politics, and many Kenyans could be imagining what politics would be like without Raila.
He is quitting active local politics amid grumbles within the opposition ranks, specifically in the Azimio la Umoja coalition, after four members of his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) joined the Kenya Kwanza government as Cabinet Secretaries. Azimio partners see this as betrayal. Raila has claimed there is no pact between ODM and government.
This explanation has failed to reassure his partners. It remains to be seen whether Raila will officially pass the baton to any of the Azimio principals as he concentrates his energies on campaigning for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship that comes up in February, next year.
Given the support he has so far garnered, it is probable Raila could clinch the seat. Were that to be so, his vast political experience will come in handy.
His arbitration capacity is well known, and many hope the same will put him in good stead to bring peace, respect for human rights and dignity to Africa’s perennial trouble spots.
Having served as African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure between 2008 and 2013, Raila is cut for the job and there is no doubt he can, and will succeed in his mission. All he needs is to put his heart into it and get the support of African presidents and other world leaders pursuing global peace for human development.
Africa’s dignity in the comity of nations is crying out to be restored, and that onus will fall on Raila in the event his bid for the AU chairmanship succeeds. We wish him well in his campaigns.
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