Good morning,
Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson position has been a key talking point for some time now, more so, after the ruling party UDA threw its weight behind the former premier.
On Sunday, President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet defended the government’s position to support Raila and described the move as a gift to the opposition chief.
Farouk dismissed claims that the ruling coalition was backing the former Prime Minister out of fear and that they were using this opportunity to push him out of active Kenyan politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala stated earlier that the party believes Raila can lead the continent in the desired direction.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, while speaking on Sunday, endorsed the Opposition leader while asserting that if Raila’s bid becomes successful, it would lead him to step back from national politics.
Wetang’ula said that the ODM supremo was contesting for the position as Kenya’s candidate and not to fulfill his political ambitions.
Do you think UDA and the government’s support for Raila’s bid to lead the AU commission is out of fear and a means to push him out of active politics ahead of the 2027 elections?
Meanwhile, here are the stories making headlines on Opera News today:
Ruto, Raila Deal to Give Opposition Allies Govt Jobs
Days after the former prime minister Raila Odinga announced his AU bid, it seems his secret and behind-the-scenes development with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government to leave local politics could earn some of his key allies jobs in the government.
As relayed by a report covered on Tuesday’s Star Kenya, the sources intimate that some of Mr Odinga’s key allies could earn a job in the government in the form of a cabinet reshuffle.
Raila Allies’ Tough Conditions on Kalonzo 2027 Bid
Following his 2027 presidential ambitions, Kalonzo Musyoka has been offered a tough directive by the ODM party in line with his push to succeed Mr Odinga as Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition’s chief.
As relayed by a report covered on Tuesday’s Taifa Leo, the ODM party has directed Kalonzo Musyoka to use force in dealing with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government.
Maraga: How Police Jobs Are Sold for KSh600K
Top police officers sell key jobs, including recruitment slots, for as high as Sh600,000, the Maraga task force report reveals.
The report says corruption runs deep in the police system and whenever recruitment is announced, the top leadership divides available places among themselves and offer them to the highest bidders, making the exercise on the fields a mere charade.