US-Based Kenyan Lawyer Claims Govt Blocked His Bid For AUC Chairmanship: "We've Filed A Petition"

• Jephnei Orina claimed that he submitted his application for the AUC chairmanship bid through the right channel but was blocked due to a lack of transparency
• His legal representative Mokua Manyara said they have sued the government and Raila Odinga for limiting Orina's constitutional rights
• Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi did not disclose to the public whether there were other Kenyans who submitted applications to vie for the position

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

President William Ruto is preparing to launch a campaign for Azimio leader Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

This move follows the government's endorsement of Raila and significant backing from other African leaders.

Jephnei Orina accuses government of favouring Raila

However, a former presidential aspirant Jephnei Nyakwama Orina, has voiced frustration over his rejected application for the position. He alleges that his application, submitted through the proper channels, was dismissed due to a lack of transparency and possible discrimination.

"I was rigged off my right as a Kenyan citizen to participate in the said process because I would expect that the government would be able to consider all the applications that I submitted. In as much as Raila Odinga is a tower in the political scene, it does not mean that he is above the law. We should be able to be submitted to the same law and given the same opportunity," said Orina, who stays in the US.

Orina, 31, who holds a PhD, two master’s degrees, and other academic credentials, claims he met all qualifications for the role.

Jephnei Orina sues government

Although the government claimed not to have received his application, his legal representative, Mokua Manyara, pointed out that the document they received was stamped.

They have now sued the government for blocking Orina's application to become the next AUC chairperson.

"There was no communication to inform him that he was considered but his application would not be submitted because of some reason. We sent them a letter they did not respond, we have filed a petition in court, but they have not responded," said Mokua Manyara, managing partner of MNW Advocates.

Mokua noted that their attempts to halt the submission of Raila's name to the AU were delayed by the Judiciary.

Meanwhile, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has not revealed whether other candidates showed interest in the AUC chairmanship besides Raila.

Raila to take break from local politics

In other news, the former Prime Minister announced a hiatus from local politics as he prepares for his AUC chairmanship campaign.

Raila stated that he will be fully focused on his bid for the AUC chairperson position.

He described this period as a transition from active Kenyan politics to engaging in continental African politics.

What else you need to know about Raila's AUC chairmanship bid

• DRC President Felix Tshekedi endorsed Raila's AUC candidacy
• A section of Kenyans shared mixed reactions after Raila announced his decision to quit local politics
• Somali's Fawzia Adam who was considered Raila's major opponent stepped down to support him

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke