NAIROBI, Kenya – Nyandarua Senator John Methu has criticized the planned trip of over 100 Kenyan lawmakers to Addis Ababa for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections, questioning the necessity of their presence and urging them to cover their expenses.
In an interview on Tuesday morning, Methu argued that using taxpayers’ money to finance the trip would unnecessarily burden Kenyans.
“I hope and expect that the 100 MPs accompanying Baba to Ethiopia are doing so at their own expense. We cannot afford to be extravagant,” he said, referring to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga by his popular moniker.
Methu, an ally of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, suggested that the lawmakers have no substantive role in the election process beyond their general support for Raila’s bid.
“Raila has his secretariat. In my opinion, the MPs have no significant role beyond the general support they already provide,” he added. “It would be irresponsible for the government to send 100 MPs to Addis Ababa from tomorrow until Saturday just to idle around. These are the kind of expenditures that burden and hurt the people of Kenya.”
The trip has drawn scrutiny amid concerns over public spending, as reports indicate that politicians from various political affiliations, including governors and senators, are also planning to travel to Ethiopia for the AUC elections.
This is not the first time political leaders have accompanied Raila on such missions.
During last year’s Mjadala Africa debate, a large delegation of MPs and governors also joined him in Addis Ababa.
Raila, Kenya’s candidate for the AUC chairmanship, has concluded his continental campaign and is currently in retreat ahead of his departure for the elections on Saturday.
The vote is scheduled for February 15 during the ordinary session of the Heads of State meeting in Addis Ababa.
He faces stiff competition from Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
Despite the criticism surrounding the trip, Raila has expressed confidence in the outcome.
Speaking at a special prayer session at Bomas of Kenya on Monday, he maintained that he would accept the results with grace.
“By God’s grace, I know I shall win. If we are victorious, we shall celebrate, and if we lose, we shall still be winners,” he told his supporters.
The prayer session, organized by women affiliated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saw religious leaders present Raila with a crozier and a Bible as a symbolic gesture of his leadership aspirations.
Clergy members prayed for his success, highlighting his potential role in shaping Africa’s future.
