By Anderson Ojwang
It is gone, but the Lion roared to showcase Kenya’s maturing democracy to Africa and the world. Kenya’s Uniqueness and maturing democracy were on the test. Indeed, Africa and the World were keenly watching.
Kenya did not disappoint, She set a precedent. When most looked for a stalemate, with unlikelihood, of any of the candidates securing 33 votes, the Lion roared to give democracy a chance.
Kenya’s candidates, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President William Ruto, did the unthinkable, baffled and shocked many, Kenya, withdrew her candidate to forestall any stalemate in the third road of the election.
Raila faced Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato (65) and Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf (60) with the successful candidate succeeding Chad’s Moussa Faki who will exit after his two-term tenure which started in 2017.
The move enabled the Djibouti candidate, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf to secure 32 votes. In the first voting, Raila led by securing 20 votes against Youssouf’s 18 while the Madagascar candidate received 10.
In Round Two of the voting tables turned on Kenya’s candidate after Youssouf managed 23 against Raila’s 20 and in the fifth round, he secured 26 against Raila’s 21and the later subsequently withdrew from the race.
Raila said after the election “ As it is, we did not succeed. I therefore concede defeat and want us to use this as an example of strengthening democracy in our continent. I wish Mahamoud Ali Youssouf all the best and success in his undertaking, I also want to thank both those who voted for me and those who did not for exercising democratic rights.”
Leaders of Africa continent have gathered today to elect a new leader who is going to take over from the outgoing leader. I had offered myself as a candidate and for the last few months, I have run around the continent , talking to the leadership of the continent, canvasing for their votes.
Today, they have expressed themselves and we did not succeed. We must strengthen democracy in the African continent and therefore, I concede a defeat and I want to use this as an example of strengthening democracy in our continent.
I am very grateful for today’s exercise to strengthen the people of Africa. Africa has a great potential and should move forward. I wish Youssouf well in steering AU forward and ensuring the Union is strong and able to serve the people of Africa effectively.
It was a secret ballot, I do not know who voted and who did not vote for me, I am sure most of my friends voted for me and even those who did not vote for me are also my friends.
When you go to a contest, there can only be two outcomes, you either win or lose. So this is one of such outcomes and therefore, I am not bitter, I am very happy, that I am still available to offer services for the continent in any capacity.”
DRC, Congo issue is contentious and it needs to be fixed as quickly as possible because the kind of suffering we are seeing is completely unacceptable.
I will go back home and I have so many things to do back home.”
Before he departed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Raila had appealed to his supporters to accept any outcome of the election.
“I was approached and told to seek the AU seat. I asked the tough question and if it was right to exit Kenya. I was told Kenya was part of Africa. I accepted the challenge and I have traversed the continent and spoken to all the presidents.
If they elect me as the chairman, I will work for Africa diligently as I have done in the past in various posts I have held. But if they do not elect me that is also ok with me because I have a home. But a win or a loss are all victory.
I will go to the AU elections on Saturday. If I win, well and good. If I don’t, so be it. I am confident that, with God’s will, we shall succeed. If we win, we have succeeded. If we lose, we have also succeeded.’’
Back at home, Kenyans were divided by the outcome with one section expressing disappointment while the other one was happy with the outcome.
Political analyst Dr Otieno Obondi says victory is not only in actual votes but other precedents set and today Kenya won by raising the democracy bar so high
“The Lion, the conqueror of the Jungle, today set a precedent. He could have occasioned a stalemate but found wisdom in allowing a safe transition and conceding defeat. He could have waited for some months.
From East to West, Central to South and North, the move was a sweet democracy victory in a continental. This new chapter is opened in Africa’s growing democracy,” he said.
