Nyandarua senator John Methu has opposed plans by the Kenya Kwanza government to fly members of parliament to Ethiopia ahead of the African Union Commission elections scheduled for Saturday.
The senator made these sentiments on Tuesday February 11th during a morning TV interview. Methu raised concerns about this decision, arguing that it would amount to misuse of taxpayers’ money. According to the senator who is a close ally to the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, he revealed that Raila has sufficient support ahead of the AUC elections.
He explained that these kinds of decisions made by the government is what is hurting Kenyans as the MPs would be idling around in Addis Ababa until the election day. Methu added:” I hope and imagine the 100MPs accompanying Baba to Ethiopia are doing so at their own expense. Raila has his own secretariat.”
Raila is set to be accompanied by a group of dignitaries including President William Ruto, Prime cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other top state officials, including Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah who is expected to be Raila’s chief agent at the AU summit this weekend.
On Monday, ODM MPs including Makadara lawmaker George Aladawa led prayers for the ODM leader ahead of the big day to show support and confidence in his victory.
Raila will be running against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar for the AUC seat. Winning the seat requires a two-thirds majority vote from the 55 AU member states which equates to at least 33 votes.
However, if no candidate attains the required majority, the elections could possibly lead to subsequent rounds.
A victory for the ODM leader would be a significant political and diplomatic win for him and subsequently for President Ruto who has been spearheading it.
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