Raila Odinga: Why former PM was relieved from the African Union role

Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya and the leader of the opposition was relieved of his duties as the High Representative for Infrastructure Development by the African Union Commission (AUC) on February 23, 2023.
The discontinuation of the position was confirmed in a letter to Mr. Odinga from the Chairperson of the Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, on 8 February 2019. In the letter, the Chairperson thanked Mr. Odinga for his commitment and contribution to the work of the Commission, in particular, his role in chairing the High-Level Panel on Infrastructure (HLPI) which provided valuable insights and guidance on the way forward for Africa’s infrastructure development. The High Representative for Infrastructure Development is no longer required as the African Union Development Agency Act 2019, which came into force on 1 February 2019, established the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) as the African Union’s specialised agency for infrastructure development.
AUDA marks a transition from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development program — NEPAD. AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki gave AUDA the full mandate to implement the continental agenda on infrastructure.
AUDA marks a transition from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development program (NEPAD) to a new era of African infrastructure development. AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki has given AUDA the full mandate to implement the continental agenda on infrastructure, which includes ensuring that African countries have the necessary skills and capacity to develop their own infrastructure.
AUDA will also work closely with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other development partners to mobilise financing for infrastructure projects on the continent. In addition, AUDA will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of Africa’s infrastructure development programs.
Faki expressed his gratitude to Odinga for his contribution to the continental infrastructure agenda, stating that “Your role in this journey, Excellency, has been invaluable.” He went on to say that Odinga’s role in advancing Africa’s infrastructure agenda is one that will be remembered and appreciated for years to come.
In a letter addressed to the Kenya Embassy in Ethiopia and copied to the African Union, Odinga expressed his profound gratitude for accepting to serve in the role of High Representative during the transition period. He went on to say that the period has now come to a happy conclusion.
Odinga took up the High Representative role in October 2018, shortly after ending an anti-government civil disobedience campaign. In this role, he served as a mediator between the Kenyan government and the opposition, working to bring about peace and stability in the country. He has been widely praised for his efforts in helping to bring about a peaceful transition of power in Kenya, and his work in this role has been instrumental in ensuring that the country remains peaceful.
Post-handshake appointment

In March 2018, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga reached a truce, ending years of simmering tensions between the two men. The agreement, known as the “handshake”, was seen as a victory for Kenya’s democracy and a blow to William Ruto, the country’s deputy president, who was pushed to the margins of power. Ruto, who was once seen as a potential successor to Kenyatta, is now an outsider in government.
Kenyatta went on to declare Odinga as his choice in the 2022 presidential election, but Ruto emerged as the winner. This was a surprising outcome, as many had expected Kenyatta to stay loyal to his deputy. However, it seemed that Kenyatta felt that Ruto was no longer the best man for the job, and he instead threw his support behind Odinga.
Odinga has since dismissed Ruto’s presidency despite an unsuccessful petition at the Supreme Court. The court’s seven judges unanimously dismissed the petition, saying that there was no evidence to support Odinga’s claims of fraud and irregularities.
On Wednesday, just days after his assignment with the AU came to an end, Odinga gave a 14-day ultimatum for Ruto to respond to a raft of demands. If the government fails to do so, Odinga is threatening mass action. Amongst his demands are for an end to corruption, more investment in education and healthcare, and for the government to take greater action on climate change.
In response to an ultimatum from opposition leader Raila Odinga, Kenyan President William Ruto vowed to put an end to impunity and uphold the rule of law. Ruto said that the Kenyan people have had enough of those who would seek to flout the law and called on the government to take action. He promised that the rule of law would prevail in Kenya, and that those who sought to undermine it would be brought to justice.
Why did Raila Odinga leave the African Union’s role?
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has revealed that he requested to leave his African Union (AU) role as the High Representative for Infrastructure in Africa.
Responding to AU’s move to end the role of the High Representative for Infrastructure in Africa, he said that he had asked to be relieved of the duties since it was becoming a challenge for him to be available.
“It is true that the African Union has decided to do away with the position of the High Representative for Infrastructure. I had already written to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, informing him of my decision not to continue serving in that capacity,” he said.
During our meeting on the sidelines of the 2nd Dakar African Infrastructure Financing Summit in Dakar, Senegal, I indicated the challenges to my continued availability for the role of AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa. In that regard, I welcome your quick action that will free me to pursue other pressing and urgent matters, Raila said.
As the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, I have played a key role in championing the development of Africa’s infrastructure. However, due to pressing and urgent matters that I must attend to, I have decided to step down from this role. I would like to thank the AU for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
Africa still faces many challenges in terms of development, according to Raila. He cites the continent’s leaders’ inaction in embracing development as a primary hindrance to progress. Additionally, Raila suggests that there are outside forces invested in keeping Africa in its current state of underdevelopment, which further stalls any potential growth.
“Many challenges remain, including the inaction by the Continent’s leadership and vested interests outside the Continent that are only too keen to keep Africa in its present condition. Hopefully, the continent will overcome these,” Raila wrote.
In a statement dated February 19, 2023, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat said the end of Raila’s role came after the continental body completed the transformation of NEPAD Agency to the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD. He said that the African Union Commission had taken note of the letter dated February 18, 2023, in which Raila Odinga notified the Commission of his resignation as the Head of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency.
“The Commission would like to express its profound gratitude to H.E. Raila Odinga for his selfless service and immense contributions to the African Union and the African continent at large.
“Your exceptional leadership and unique command of the issues concerned has been crucial to the leveraging of infrastructure as a key priority within the Continental agenda. The transformation of the NEPAD Agency to the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD has now been completed, with full mandate to implement the Continental agenda on infrastructure,” Mahamat stated.
It is still unclear why Raila Odinga was relieved from his role as the High Representative for Infrastructure Development at the African Union. Some speculate that it may be due to his close ties to former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is currently facing corruption charges. Others believe that Odinga’s dismissal may be related to the recent controversy surrounding the construction of a new railway in Kenya.
Courtesy