Nairobi News

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has joined leaders who are calling on Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga to vie for the African Union Commission chairmanship.

The former governor however gave conditions to the former prime minister to accept the verdict of the outcome of the appointment of the next AU chairman.

According to Mr Obado, the opposition leader is a man known for complaining of being rigged out of election.

This is based on past poll where Mr Odinga claimed he won at the ballot but he was denied victory.

Mr Odinga and his allies are on record saying the opposition leader should have at least led the nation as the head of state if past elections were free and fair.

According to them, it is Mr Odinga who has been winning the presidential race but the electoral body declared a different person.

In past instances, the former prime minister had resorted to sabotaging the government including calling on his supporters to hold protests.

Mr Obado said the race for AU is different and that Mr Odinga should accept whatever outcome that will be decided.

“Let him not call for maandamano (protest) in Addis Ababa if the outcome of the election of AU chairman does not favour him,” the former governor said.

Mr Obado however said he strongly supports the resolve by the opposition leader to run for the continental job.

He thanked President William Ruto for anointing the opposition leader to contest for the seat.

“We wish him well, hoping that he won’t protest, if he loses, although his winning chances are very high,” Mr Obado said.

He spoke at his home in Rapogi in Migori county when he hosted UDA members for a meeting to discuss ways of strengthening the ruling party ahead of the party’s grass root elections slated for April this year.

He was flanked by former MPs Jared Kopiyo who’s the county UDA coordinator, former Migori MP John Pesa who said they will talk to the people of Nyanza to back President Wiliam Ruto rejection bid.

According to the UDA members, the Head of State will have higher chances of winning if Mr Odinga goes to AU.

“With ODM leaders now tipped for a continental job in the African Union Commission secretariat, the Luo community should shift their allegiance to President Ruto,” the former governor said.

Mr Obado claim it is evidently clear that Mr Odinga may not run for president in the next poll considering his bid for a continental job

“We are calling on all Kenyans to turn to President Ruto. You will be safe in his hands,” he said.

Mr Obado used the opportunity to ask youths who have acquired new IDs and not yet listed in any political party, to choose UDA as their political party.

Mr Obado said Kenyans were free to join any party of choice saying it was their constitutional democracy.

UDA is engaged in mass recruitment of voters in Nyanza and wants to dislodge ODM from its base.

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