Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria has stated that Azimio Leader Raila Odinga will still be on the ballot in 2027 even if he clinches the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.
Speaking on Spice FM on Monday, Odinga is only seeking to occupy the AUC top seat to occupy him as he awaits a presidential contest in the 2027 General Election.
"Baba is filling time so for him to get something productive to do is good instead of wasting a good brain. He was not born to be chairman of AUC he was born to be a politician in national politics.”
Further, he argued that the opposition leader will resign from the job and hand it over to another East African leader to complete his four-year term if he secured the appointment.
"People who've got no bearing of history think that Baba is going anywhere. Baba is coming back. He will do two years. He is going to call it short and maybe give it to another East African to finish for him maybe Kikwete as he takes care of some urgent business."
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However, he asserted that he supports Mr. Odinga's bid for the AU job, which he says will bolster the region economically.
"I am supporting Raila Odinga to the AU so to have representation of people of the caliber of Raila Odinga in AU is paramount [and is] good for our politics, for East Africa and we'll do anything possible to ensure that he gets that position."
The AUC chairperson seat will fall vacant next year as its current occupant, Chad's Moussa Faki, is set to finish his two-term tenure.
Faki was first appointed in 2017 and won a second term in 2021.
The Chairperson of the Commission is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once