Political analyst Josphat Kamanya has expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of Raila Odinga accepting the invitation to compete for the head of the African Union (AU) Commission. According to Kamanya, if Raila were to accept the offer, it would not only have a significant impact on the opposition but also on the country as a whole. He emphasized that President William Ruto’s endorsement of Raila in the contest and the government’s support for him if elected could lead to catastrophic ramifications.

Kamanya highlighted the significance of Raila’s potential appointment, acknowledging that it would be a major turning point in his career and a triumph for Kenya on the international stage. However, he also warned that it could weaken the opposition, making it easier for the government to pursue its intended agenda. He stressed that Raila’s departure to take up the AU job would compromise the opposition, leaving a void in the government’s opposition watchdog and raising questions about the future presidential candidate for the ODM party in 2027.

In light of these concerns, Kamanya suggested that Raila would be better served by focusing on reviving his party and developing future MPs rather than pursuing the AU post. He emphasized the potential impact of Raila’s departure on the opposition and the need for the ODM party to consider its strategy for the future. Kamanya’s predictions and warnings underscore the potential implications of Raila’s decision to accept the offer for the AU job, both for the opposition and for the country as a whole.