Gachagua Welcomes Raila Back Home After AUC Loss: “Kenya Has Unfinished Business With You”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed solidarity with ODM leader Raila Odinga after his loss in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson election. Gachagua extended a warm message of support to Raila, emphasizing that while Africa needed his leadership, it was God’s will that brought him back to Kenya to continue shaping the country’s future.
Raila, Kenya’s candidate in the race, lost to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf after a hard-fought election that stretched to the seventh round. Despite initially leading in the first two rounds, Raila trailed in subsequent rounds, ultimately being eliminated before the final round, where Youssouf clinched the chairmanship with 33 votes.
In his message, Gachagua lauded Raila for his resilience and tireless efforts during the election. “Baba Raila Odinga, you put on a brave fight, and elicited energy, resilience, and the indefatigable Lion of Africa. You came in a credible 2nd as you held the Kenyan Flag high in a hotly contested seat of the AUC Chairmanship,” Gachagua said.
He assured Raila that the loss did not diminish his status or leadership abilities. “You did not lose; the majority had their way. The African and the Kenyan spirit lives on. The leap you made motifs the Kenyan optimism and great hope in the continent and the World,” he added.
Gachagua reflected on Raila’s Pan-African credentials, acknowledging that Africa needed him, but reiterated that it was Kenya’s “unfinished business” with Raila that brought him back home. “God, in His own wisdom, found that Kenya, your motherland, and indeed, we Kenyans, your beloved brothers and sisters, have unfinished business with you as their coveted son,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President emphasized that the AUC outcome in no way undermines Raila’s contributions to the country, reaffirming his importance in Kenya’s progress. “In any case, the outcome at the AU doesn’t, in any way, undermine your leadership and your energy to fix our Nation. Welcome back home, our son Raila Odinga, with your head held high; East or West, home is the best. Take heart, you did Kenya proud,” Gachagua concluded.
Gachagua’s message follows similar expressions of support from other political figures, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who praised Raila’s efforts in the campaign and reiterated Kenya’s pride in its candidate. Kindiki stated, “President William Ruto, our candidate Raila Odinga, and his campaign team gave their best. Unfortunately, we have lost. We remain a proud nation that we came so close. Today was not our day, our day will come.”
Kindiki also defended Raila’s credentials in the election, calling him the strongest candidate Kenya has ever presented in the AUC chairperson race, and viewed the result as an opportunity for future improvement.
Gachagua Welcomes Raila Back Home After AUC Loss: “Kenya Has Unfinished Business With You”
