Nairobi News

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that the ongoing Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition resistance to the leadership of President William Ruto is what cost Mr Raila Odinga his job at the African Union (AU).

Speaking in Donko Kuntu, Mombasa on Friday during the launch of Taifa Gas, the DP said the AU was tired of the frequent protests that its former High Representative for Infrastructure in Africa was constantly engaging in.

His remarks come a day after African Union Commission chairperson Mousa Faki confirmed the termination of the lapse of Mr Odinga’s contract.

Also read: Raila reveals why he ‘wanted to leave’ AU job

“Aendelee kuandamana na kuandamana. Lakini hii maandamano imetia huyu mzee hasara kubwa sana. Yeye amekua na kazi kubwa sana ya African Union infrastructure. Amewacha hiyo kazi ameenda maandamano amefukuzwa kwa hiyo kazi (Let him continue demonstrating. But these demonstrations have caused him a big loss. He had a good job with the AU but he left the job to protest, and they fired him),” Gachagua said.

The DP said AU officials did what was expected of them, adding that the position needs someone available for the job.

At the same time, Gachagua said the government will not be threatened by Mr Odinga’s calls for protest across the country over soaring prices of commodities.

Also read: Raila’s tenure as AU High Representative for Infrastructure lapses

“They competed and he (President Ruto) defeated them. They had a deep state and the system he defeated them. Now, they don’t have anything, can they really compete with him?

Mr Odinga was appointed by the AU in October 2018, a few months after his famous handshake with the former Head of State Uhuru Kenyatta.

However, in his response to the AU’s statement about the termination of his contract, Mr Odinga said that he had earlier expressed to the union the need to relinquish him from the job to focus on personal issues.

Also read: Mtaandamana hadi mchoke! Ruto warns Raila