NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has spoken for the first time since losing the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship race, saying he is “delighted” to be back home.
The veteran politician, who had taken a break from the spotlight after the defeat, expressed gratitude to Kenyans for their unwavering support.
“East or West, Home Is Best”
Landing back in Kenya, Raila was in high spirits despite the loss to Djibouti’s Ali Mohammed Youssouf.
“I am delighted to be back home. You see, East, West, North, and South—home is best. I feel very happy and delighted to be back in Kenya after what we went through,” he said.
He acknowledged the backing of President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, government officials, and Kenyans who stood by him during the bid.
Raila Odinga: You should never worry at all. I said that if we win in Addis, we will have succeeded but if we lose, we will also have succeeded because I will come back home and do other things. So, we have succeeded because I have now come back home to join you
An Eye-Opening Experience
Despite the outcome, Raila emphasized that the election process provided him with invaluable insight into Africa’s political landscape.
“This was an enterprise that opened my eyes. It gave us an opportunity to understand our continent better,” he noted.
Over the course of the campaign, he met more than 40 African heads of state, engaging in critical discussions about the continent’s challenges and opportunities.
His journey through multiple African capitals revealed a deeper understanding of the regional dynamics at play in the AU leadership contest.
Raila’s bid ended in the sixth round of voting, trailing behind Youssouf, who eventually won with 33 votes in the final round.
Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato was eliminated earlier in the contest.
What’s Next for Raila?
While some may see the defeat as a setback, Raila framed it as an opportunity.
“This is actually a win,” he remarked, hinting at new plans for his political and national engagements now that the AU campaign is behind him.
Though he did not specify his next move, his return to Kenya will likely reignite discussions about his role in the country’s political landscape.
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