Bujumbura, Burundi — In a powerful address at the COMESA Summit in Burundi, Kenyan President William Ruto endorsed Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship while advocating for far-reaching reforms to strengthen the African Union (AU). Ruto outlined a vision for a streamlined and accountable AU with a full-time Pan-African Parliament to represent the continent’s one billion people, enhance governance, and increase the union’s responsiveness.

A strong advocate for peace, President Ruto also reiterated his commitment to “silencing the guns” across Africa, calling for collaborative efforts to address conflicts that continue to destabilise regions and hinder progress. He urged African leaders to prioritize peace and stability, highlighting that a secure environment is crucial for the AU’s development agenda.

Ruto called on heads of state to take a direct role in AU decision-making, asserting that delegating major decisions to junior officials often led to bureaucratic delays. “As heads of state, we must take responsibility for critical decisions. By reducing delegation to junior officials, we can eliminate red tape and ensure urgent matters are handled swiftly,” he stated.

Ruto further proposed empowering the Pan-African Parliament to hold the AUC accountable, granting it the authority to approve commissioner appointments and review budgets. He envisioned a full-time parliament that would oversee AU operations on behalf of Africa’s citizens, ensuring that decisions align with the continent’s aspirations for unity, transparency, and stability.

Expressing confidence in Odinga’s leadership, Ruto said, “Raila Odinga brings the experience and commitment needed to drive our continent toward greater accountability, peace, and unity. With his leadership, the AU can become a body that truly represents and advances the aspirations of all Africans.“

President Ruto’s endorsement, combined with his vision of a more effective and accountable AU, resonated widely at the summit. His calls for a full-time parliament, stronger oversight, and a continent free from conflict signal a potential turning point for the AU, paving the way for a more stable, transparent, and representative African Union.

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The author is a political analyst and commentator on Kenyan politics and a 2022 Senate Candidate for Migori County

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Kenya’s Foreign Policy Review

By Correspondent in Bujumbura, Burundi.

30 October 2024

Kenya is undertaking a comprehensive review of the country’s foreign policy in a move to reshape Kenya’s role on the global stage.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, has said that the initiative includes the preparation of a sessional paper for Parliament aimed at clarifying Kenya’s foreign policy and addressing the Ministry’s budgetary needs.

Speaking when he visited the Kenyan Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi, Mudavadi also Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, stressed the importance of engaging Parliament, which allocates resources.

He noted that misconceptions about Kenya’s foreign policy exist, and the sessional paper would correct them and help advocate for a budget that reflects the Ministry’s requirements, including the welfare of Kenyans working in diplomatic missions.

“Through our interactions with Parliament, we’ve noticed several misconceptions about Kenya’s foreign policy. This sessional paper will correct those misunderstandings and help advocate for a budget that reflects the Ministry’s needs, including the welfare of Kenyans working in diplomatic missions,” Mudavadi said.

PCS also addressed the public perception that working in foreign missions is easy. Mudavadi stressed the challenges faced by embassy staff and their crucial role in advancing Kenya’s foreign interests.

Mudavadi highlighted concerns raised by Kenyan youth during recent protests, especially about the President’s frequent travels. He explained that diplomatic engagements are essential for economic development, noting that countries that prioritize diplomacy enjoy benefits such as increased foreign investments and stronger international relations.

The sessional paper, once presented in Parliament, is expected to create a clearer understanding of Kenya’s foreign engagements and secure additional resources to boost the country’s diplomatic presence globally.

Mudavadi was accompanied by PS for Trade Alfred K’Ombudo and PS for Tourism John Ololtuaa. PS K’Ombudo emphasized the need to deploy Kenya’s strategic assets more effectively. He stated, “We must enhance our bilateral and multilateral support to ensure that Kenya maximizes its economic potential through international partnerships.”

PS Ololtuaa focused on strengthening the tourism sector through diplomatic ties. He remarked, “By leveraging our relationships with other nations, we can significantly enhance Kenya’s visibility and attract more tourists, contributing to the growth of our economy.”

Mudavadi concluded by emphasizing the need to map areas where Kenya’s expertise is in demand globally. This, he said, would boost Kenya’s international standing and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Kenya’s first foreign policy was adopted in 2014 and it emphasized five pillars namely peace diplomacy, economic diplomacy, diaspora diplomacy, environmental diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy. These pillars aim to foster regional stability, enhance economic partnerships, promote Kenya’s global influence, and protect the interests of Kenyans abroad. The ongoing review seeks to strengthen these foundational elements and adapt to evolving global challenges.

By Anderson Ojwang

The recent political attack on Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni was pregnant and poignant.

For many, it passed like the Uganda president’s usual political diatribe. In an actual sense, it marked the birth of a new political generation not only in Kenya but also in East Africa and Africa at large.

Currently, the younger generation is staking claim in the country’s leadership and Babu Owino seems to have found himself among the emerging new crop of Africa’s young leaders.

The Kisumu Boys alumni came from a humble background and could be defying the odds to position himself at the apex of national politics and his stars are shining brighter.

According to Museveni, Babu Owino supports the anti-National Resistance Movement (Uganda’s ruling party) and is a close ally to Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.

“There are some individuals in Raila’s group who I don’t think know what they are doing. I am a consumer of intelligence services…I always see intelligence service reports. There’s a character called Babu. I always see Babu dealing with anti-NRM groups in Uganda,” said Museveni.

Symbolically, Museveni was in Nairobi, State House during the unveiling of immediate former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga’s candidature for African Union (AU) chair seat.

Raila had earlier declared that he was exiting the local political scene for the AU seat and vacated his party leadership to Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o. The race to inherit his mantle for the Luo community has begun in earnest.

Those who have been mentioned as probable heir apparent to Raila’s throne include Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo among others.

But Babu in his response to Museveni was guarded comparing the Ugandan President’s term to his current age, saying “he is like a grandfather to me hence I accords him some modicum of respect”.

“The current President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni came and I don’t want him to lose his vote for Baba, I want him to vote for Baba. I genuinely respect him as my grandfather,” said Owino.

DAP-Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, on his part, expressed dismay at the Ugandan President for seemingly beefing with a young politician the age of his grandson like Owino.

“We were very shocked when we heard one of the Heads of State attacks someone who is supposed to be his grandson. Mimi ni Rafiki sana wa mheshimiwa Yoweri Museveni ( I am personally a good friend to President Yoweri Museveni,” he said.

ODM Secretary General Mr. Edwin Sifuna in a statement on X, Sifuna called out Museveni for verbally reprimanding Babu while in Kenya.

“Whatever beef Museveni has with Babu Owino, I strongly object to the manner of his attack on a young Kenyan leader on our own soil,” said Sifuna.  

Apart from ruffling feathers regionally, Babu has also been creating rumbles in local politics where he has become a lone ranger in the current political realignment between ODM and President Ruto’s UDA party and the formation of a broad-based government.

Babu has maintained that he is the chief opposition leader and will continue to fight for the welfare of Kenyans.

During the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the national assembly he did participate.

A former Nairobi university student leader and political commentator Dr Gedion Majiwa said it was not a walk in the park for Babu to be elected Sonu chairman severally and eventually Embakasi  East MP.

“Babu is a strategist. He knows when to strike and when to lie low. He is a good mobilizer and understands the political dynamics and he has a high survival instinct. He is an orator and has mastered the public and crowd psychology, Give it to him,” he said.

Dr Majiwa said in the current political dispensation Babu will surprise many because he is a go-getter and he is already endearing himself to the masses and the reception is positive which is a plus for him in his political journey.

Dr Majiwa said Babu is a performer and that is why Nairobians hold him high and see him as a potential future governor or any other top seat in the country.

In the recent survey conducted by research firm InfoTrack, Babu was among the top influential personalities in the country. 

Raila was mentioned as Kenya’s most influential figure and has remained the political determinant in the country.

Raila led the survey, with 26 percent of the respondents naming him as the most influential person. President William Ruto, whose government has faced a lot of criticism and opposition, especially this year, came in second, scoring a seven percent mark.

Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, came third with a six percent score.

Babu tied at five percent with Gen Zs. The MP has always been on the side of the young people in most issues that affect the country and even showed solidarity during the June-July-August demonstrations against the government.

Babu has shown interest in the ODM party leadership after Raila opted out to run for AU chair. 

“The person who should replace Baba will beat Ruto in 2027 and that’s me. I, therefore, call on the Central Management Committee of the ODM Party to consider my strong desire to serve this prominent institution as its Party Leader to bring the rebirth now required to move it to the next level of engagement for the renewal of Kenya and the fundamentals of leadership.“ he said. 

The party gave the interim position to Nyongo who is the current party leader of the party as Raila seeks to be elected  AU chair.

 “Raila has been my political leader, and I respect him deeply. I have worked under him, for him, and with him. He is still my leader. We cannot ignore the impact he has had on Kenya,” he said.

Babu has maintained he has cut his teeth and was capable of giving alternative leadership to the country.

 “Experience does not come with age; it comes with the challenges you have faced. I may be 35 years old, but I have encountered and solved numerous challenges. Others may have lived longer, but they have not faced as many trials,” he said.

By Anderson Ojwang

History could be in the making with the development of a new political manual to override the old template where resignation after a fallout was the order of the day.

Today, the old template by the first vice president of Kenya has come under intense scrutiny and may soon become outdated in the new political dispensation.

Currently, the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is out to make history by exorcising the ghost of resignation as was founded by the first vice president of Kenya the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Oginga set a precedent that became a political template and safe exit valve for besieged officeholders after a fallout with the power.

After independence and a fallout between the founding  President the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and his deputy, Oginga opted to resign from the seat of the vice president and instead formed his political party, Kenya’s People Union (KPU)

Oginga’s template became the manual that subsequent officeholders who became besieged followed to the letter and it became like a tradition among the political class.

Fifty-eight years ago, Oginga set a precedent by digging a political pit that has turned out a graveyard for successive politicians who have walked in his path.

The decision by Oginga has continued to shape the country’s political landscape and left high-profile politicians in the obituary.

Former Vice Presidents the late Prof. Josephat Karanja and Prof George Saitoti all resigned and lost their political clout.

But currently,  Rigath has defied the manual to walk through the National Assembly, the Senate, and currently the High Court to challenge his impeachment. 

Rigathi before his impeachment said “I was elected by 7.2 million Kenyans; how dare you suggest I resign without public participation? I have no intention of resigning from this job… I will fight until the end,” he told journalists.

The self-confessed truthful man went ahead to say that those sending emissaries to him to resign were jokers as that was the last thing he would do.

“I will get justice and carry out my duties as DP. Anybody sending me messages to resign is a joker. I have done nothing wrong to Kenyans.” 

Rigathi claimed that some of his friends have been persuading him to step down from his job to avoid impeachment.

“I urge those my friends who are coming to persuade me to resign to stop it because I will not resign,” Rigathi said

Rigathi wondered why he should resign saying “I have no intention to resign; I will fight to the end. How dare you suggest to me to resign?”.

“When I organized this press conference, I got reports suggesting that I wanted to resign. I want to say that I will fight until the end,” he laughed off.

For Oginga on April 14, 1966, he shocked and shook the nation by bowing to the pressure from his opponents and made history as the first vice president in a post-colonial era to resign.

“It is fairly clear that there is pressure and desire that I should leave the government, the authority concerned however, showed reluctance to say openly to the public.

If I thought there was the slightest chance to put things right from within the government, then the desire to remove me from the office would not worry me, as indeed, it has not done for the last year, however, Wananchi my honest opinion is that the present government has reached a point of no return. It can only do for the people the little that the underground master allows it to do.

I, therefore, find it impossible to be part of it and my decision, from now on I should be free and join wananchi that their voice be heard,’ Oginga said at his resignation.

And by that, Oginga opened the country’s pandora box to resignation and political grave that has destroyed and consumed the careers of politicians in the country.

Political Analyst Mr. Patrick Ouya says Rigathi has radically transformed the politics of the country by facing his accusers in the Assembly, Senate, and Court. This is a political milestone and a sign of bravery few politicians would walk.

“Rigathi has erased Oginga’s old script of political resignations and invented a new manual of fighting to the end. This is a new dispensation that will change the political landscape of the country,” he says.

Ouya says those who followed Oginga’s manual found themselves vanquished and in political oblivion. They became history the minute they resigned from the office.

“Look at the story of the late Kenneth Matiba, Martha Karua, the late Josephat Karanja, the late Achieng Oneko among others. They lost their political constituency and never recovered the prominence they enjoyed before resigning,” he argues.

Ouya says Rigathi has come out to tackle the curse of the office of the vice president and his action will ground the future occupant of the seat from manipulation by the president.

“In the future, those in elective posts either in government or political parties will not resign easily. They will take the battle to the next level. Rigathi has set a precedent,”: he says.