Didmus Barasa Slams Kenyans Wishing For Raila's Defeat In AUC Chair Contest: "Shame On You"

• Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, a Kenya Kwanza MP, has defended Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission chairperson despite past criticisms
• Barasa criticised young Kenyans on social media for their negative comments about Raila’s candidacy, urging them to support his continental aspirations
• The MP labelled the youth’s criticism of Raila as disloyal, calling them to be patriotic and set aside their differences

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga continues to garner unexpected support from some of his critics from the 2022 General Election.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, a Kenya Kwanza-allied lawmaker, has recently come to the defence of the veteran politician.

In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, Barasa, who identifies as a Gen Z leader, criticised young Kenyans for their negative comments regarding Raila's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat.

The outspoken MP chastised the youth who have accused Raila of betraying their cause during anti-government protests, urging them to set aside their differences and support his continental aspirations.

He opined that it was their patriotic duty to support the former premier's bid despite not being their choice.

"To all the Gen Z's and Kenyans wishing Tinga @RailaOdinga bad luck, shame on you! Be patriotic majamaa! Too much noise on social media na hakuna kitu mnasema ata," Barasa stated.

Ruto asks Kenyans to support Raila

On Saturday, August 24, President William Ruto urged Kenyans to rally behind the ODM leader in his quest to become the next AUC chairperson.

Speaking in Kakamega, the president observed that the longstanding Kenyan opposition leader merits to be at the helm of the African Union secretariat, thus the need for compatriots to bless his candidature.

Ruto noted that Raila's win in the race would connote Kenya's strides and enhance Kenya's outlook on the international stage.

Meanwhile, the ODM leader announced he would be taking a break from local politics to focus on his campaign for the continental job.

Which African presidents are supporting Raila?

Besides Kenya, other countries whose heads have declared their support for Raila are the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Burundi, Seychelles, Ghana, South Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Algeria, and Congo.

The next AUC chairperson is set to come from East Africa following a decision by the AU Executive Council.

Countries from Northern Africa will produce the deputy chairperson, and the remainder of the regions, Central, Southern, and Western Africa, will produce the six commissioners.

While at the AUC, Raila would observe the code of conduct for the chairmanship, where the office holder ought to take a back seat in their country's politics and, at the same time, be neutral in the African socio-political standings.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.