Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, blaming him for Raila Odinga’s failed bid to become the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.
Kalonzo accused Ruto of deliberately undermining Raila’s candidacy despite initially expressing support for his bid.
Speaking at a political gathering, Kalonzo claimed that Ruto’s administration failed to fully rally African leaders behind Raila, leading to his loss in the high-stakes continental race.
“Raila Odinga had the experience, the credibility, and the vision to lead the African Union. But the government’s lukewarm support and behind-the-scenes maneuvering worked against him,” Kalonzo alleged.
The former Vice President further claimed that Ruto’s strained diplomatic ties with key African leaders weakened Raila’s chances.
“How do you expect to win such a seat when you have made enemies across the continent? You cannot isolate yourself regionally and expect other nations to support a candidate you propose,” he remarked.
This latest political feud has reignited tensions between Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition’s Azimio la Umoja coalition. Raila’s bid for the AUC chairmanship had been widely seen as an opportunity to cement Kenya’s influence in Africa, but his apparent loss has now sparked blame games within the country’s political circles.
While Ruto publicly backed Raila’s bid, sources suggest that some of his close allies were not fully committed to lobbying for his success. Some critics argue that Ruto may have preferred a different candidate to secure his own political interests within the African Union.
On the other hand, Ruto’s allies have dismissed Kalonzo’s claims as baseless and an attempt to stir unnecessary political animosity. “The government did everything possible to support Raila. The problem is that his candidature did not appeal to enough African nations,” a senior government official said.
With this latest development, the already tense relationship between Ruto and Raila appears to be worsening. Raila has yet to comment directly on the matter, but political analysts suggest that his next move will likely shape the country’s political landscape in the coming months.
As the dust settles on Raila’s unsuccessful bid, the question remains: Did Ruto truly support Raila, or was there a hidden agenda all along?
