President William Samoei Ruto on Saturday opened up on one single reason why he was disappointed with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Amollo Odinga losing the African Union Commission (AUC) post.
While addressing Kenyans at a hotel in Adis Ababa after the election, the head of state stated that he was proud of Raila, describing him as the best candidate that Kenya put forward and according to him, he was disappointed with the fact that the African continent missed an opportunity to be served by the best of the best.
President William Ruto has since officially congratulated Mahamoud Ali Youssouf on his election as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), alongside his deputy, Selma Haddadi.
Youssouf’s victory came after a competitive seven-round election, where he triumphed over Kenya’s own candidate, Raila Odinga. In a heartfelt statement shared on X, Ruto expressed his gratitude to fellow African Heads of State for giving Odinga a platform during the campaign. “While the outcome did not favor our candidate, I deeply appreciate the leadership of our continent for considering Raila Odinga’s vision for the African Union,” Ruto stated.
He extended his best wishes to Youssouf and Haddadi, affirming Kenya’s commitment to supporting their leadership: “You have the trust of the AU Assembly, and Kenya pledges her full support as you steer the African Union Commission forward.”
Ruto emphasized that this election transcended individual ambitions, focusing instead on the collective future of Africa. “Together, we will strive for a united, prosperous, and influential Africa on the global stage,” he affirmed.
In a gracious concession, Raila Odinga also congratulated Youssouf, expressing optimism for the future and a desire to return home. As Kenya navigates this transition, the nation stands ready to collaborate with the new leadership for the betterment of the continent.
