Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson seat, Raila Odinga, has lost the election to Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf after a tightly contested race in Addis Ababa.
Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has suffered defeat in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections, losing to Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf after an intense six-round contest.
Odinga was eliminated in the sixth round, paving the way for Youssouf’s victory in the decisive seventh round, where he secured 33 votes—meeting the required two-thirds majority—to claim the top continental seat for the next four years. Youssouf will succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki, who has served for eight years.
The race, which began with three candidates, saw Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato eliminated in the third round after garnering the least votes. Raila had initially taken the lead, winning the first two rounds, but momentum shifted in Mahamoud’s favor from the third round onwards.
Voting Breakdown
In the first round, Raila secured 20 votes, Mahamoud 18, and Randriamandrato 10, with one abstention. Raila improved in the second round with 22 votes against Mahamoud’s 19, while Randriamandrato got seven votes.
However, in the third round, Mahamoud overtook Raila with 23 votes against 20, leading to Randriamandrato’s elimination. The fourth round saw Mahamoud extend his lead with 25 votes, while Raila received 21. In the fifth and sixth rounds, Mahamoud maintained his lead, ultimately securing victory in the final round as the sole candidate.
Raila Concedes Defeat, Calls for Stronger Democracy
Speaking after the results, Raila conceded defeat and congratulated Youssouf. “Over the last few months, I have engaged leaders across the continent seeking support, but today, the delegates have expressed their choice. We did not succeed, but this should serve as an example of strengthening democracy in Africa,” he said.
He further extended his best wishes to Youssouf, thanking his supporters and acknowledging those who voted against him for exercising their democratic right.
Mixed Reactions in Kenya
Raila’s defeat triggered varied reactions in Kenya, with social media abuzz with memes, disappointment, and political analysis. Some of his supporters voiced frustration, while others saw the outcome as expected.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, a staunch Raila ally, reacted by suggesting the withdrawal of the East African Community from the African Union. “I will petition for the EAC to exit the AU,” he declared.
On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot cryptically attributed Raila’s loss to geopolitical factors, posting on X: “Religion, France, Region.”
With the election now concluded, attention shifts to Mahamoud Youssouf’s leadership at the helm of the AUC as he prepares to take over from Moussa Faki in shaping the future of Africa’s premier continental body.
Raila’s loss comes despite strong backing from Kenya and several allies, marking a setback in his bid to lead the continental body. Mahamoud’s victory positions Djibouti at the helm of the African Union Commission, shaping the next phase of the AU’s leadership.
In Kisumu County, particularly in Raila’s stronghold of Kondele, disappointment was palpable. Video footage showed dejected supporters, some chanting anti-government slogans following the announcement.
