- Nominated MP Sabina Chege has taken it upon herself to apologise to ODM boss Raila Odinga on behalf of those who celebrated his defeat in Addis Ababa
- Raila was floored by former Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf in the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship
- A section of Mt Kenya residents took to the streets for passionate celebrations, prompting Sabina to call them out
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Nairobi – Criticism continues on Kenyans who delighted in the defeat of former prime minister Raila Odinga in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson election in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 15.
A section of Kenyans in Nyeri were filmed celebrating Raila’s defeat, stating that it was significant as the veteran politician would return to the country to challenge bad governance.
Why Sabina Chege is angry at Mt Kenya residents
The display irked some leaders, especially those leaning toward the government.
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The latest to weigh in was nominated MP Sabina Chege who castigated the celebrants for poor conduct.
Sabina said Raila was partaking in the continental contest as a Kenyan and not in his individual capacity, and hence deserved the country’s support at the expense of the berations by locals who do not subscribe to his politics and ideologies.
“I join my colleagues in congratulating the former prime minister, Honourable Raila Odinga. He is a man I closely worked with, I know he is a father and mentor. Africa missed a man who had goodwill and strength of Pan Africanism and a man who would have taken Africa to the next level. I want to apologise and please let this apology go on record. To the people who, especially from my region, went to celebrate when Baba lost, I want to take this message out; when Baba went to AU, he was not going as Raila, but as a Kenyan. It was unfortunate to see people going out celebrating saying that he should come back to go to the opposition. We need to know that there is time for everything. There is a time when people are competing and a time for seriousness when people need to work. We cannot politic from morning to evening. I want to apologise to Baba and tell him that we love him. Those were were few people misled by an individual. Baba come to Kenya we will work together,” said Sabina.
In the same breath, the MP lauded President William Ruto for shelving his differences with Raila and committing to supporting him in the vote.
“I also want to appreciate President William Ruto because Baba was his opponent but he took it up, went across the continent and showed his commitment,” she said.
Sabina’s comments synched with those of Suna East MP Junet Mohamed who equally took offence at the celebrations mounted by Raila’s enemies.
What Junet Mohamed told celebrants of Raila’s defeat
He said it was unpatriotic for some Kenyans to celebrate the loss of an eminent compatriot who was only trying his hand in an international spectacle.
Junet said that while it was all in order for the winner to be hailed, it was unfair on the part of the celebrants to mock the loser.
He said it was pointless to carry local political baggage onto such a high-level international event.
Junet referred to the international athletic competitions that often bring the country together, wondering why such unity could not be displayed during Raila’s moment at the AU General Assembly.
Raila was trounced by former Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf who secured 33 votes after the seventh round of secret balloting at the AU General Assembly.
The veteran Kenyan politician was eliminated in the sixth round in which he secured 22 votes against Mahmoud’s 26.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
