Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-30 06:08:29
During a visit to Raila Odinga’s Bondo stronghold, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi hinted at a potential reconciliation between President William Ruto and the leader of Azimio la Umoja. Mudavadi teased the crowd with a promise of “pleasant news” in the near future, hinting at a significant development for the people of Bondo.
His cryptic remarks were met with excitement and cheer from the crowd in attendance. Despite formal invitations, ODM elected leaders opted to steer clear of the event, which was perceived as a snub to the gathering.
Mudavadi’s comments have led residents to speculate that the potential reconciliation could either result in a political handshake between President Ruto and Mr. Odinga, or entail a prestigious African Union job for the ODM leader. The term of African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki is set to expire next year, and lobbying for the position has already commenced among member States. Odinga is reportedly interested in the role, but the political dynamics surrounding it require the endorsement of the candidate by their respective government.
Observers suggest that a reconciliation between President Ruto and Mr. Odinga would further weaken the already fragile Azimio coalition. Furthermore, such an alliance would strategically keep Odinga out of the 2027 ballot, potentially necessitating political realignments.
A potential reconciliation between Ruto and Odinga would echo the events of 2018, when Odinga embraced President Uhuru Kenyatta following two successive electoral defeats. This handshake ultimately led to Deputy President Ruto’s displacement from the center of power, triggering a major rift in the Jubilee government.
