NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s government spent Sh523.85 million on Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, fresh disclosures to Parliament have revealed.
The expenditure, approved under Article 223 of the Constitution, was used for chartering aircraft, hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and publicity campaigns, according to the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee.
Committee chairman Nelson Koech informed the National Assembly’s Liaison Committee that the funds were allocated under “international candidatures activity” specifically to support Odinga’s bid.
The Treasury disbursed the funds without prior parliamentary approval, as permitted under Article 223, which allows for withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund Services (CFS) within a 10% limit of the approved budget.
Such spending must, however, be regularized by Parliament within two months.
This revelation puts to rest speculation over the campaign’s financial outlay.
Juja MP George Koimbori had previously alleged the government spent Sh13 billion, a claim dismissed by both the government and Odinga.
Notably, Koimbori was later arrested, though his charges were unrelated to his statement on the AUC campaign funds.
Odinga, backed by President William Ruto and state resources, exited the race in the sixth round of voting after securing 22 votes against Djibouti’s Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, who garnered 26.
Youssouf later secured the required 33 votes to clinch the position. Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato had been eliminated in earlier rounds.
Following his loss, Odinga suggested that “unforeseen factors” had influenced the outcome but did not elaborate.
Despite the setback, Odinga and Ruto have since formalized a working arrangement between the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and Odinga’s ODM party.
The deal, signed on March 7, includes a 10-point plan covering governance, economic empowerment, and anti-corruption measures.
