People’s Liberation Party (PLP) Party Leader Martha Karua has opined that Raila Odinga’s association with President William Ruto is what led to his defeat at the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship election.
Karua who spoke during Citizen TV’s JKLIve Show on Wednesday claimed that the Kenya Kwanza administration has faltered in maintaining its foreign policy which eventually slung Odinga’s candidacy into the mud.
She argued that President Ruto’s foreign advisors have been pushing him to take rushed positions on other countries’ affairs without keen consideration of the affected nations’ or regions’ approach to the same, thus most policies end up not sitting well with many people.
From his stance in the Israel-Palestinian war, the take on recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) State, being named as IGAD mediator which the generals later refused, the interference in DR Congo affairs and the recent hosting of the RSF in Nairobi, Karua intimated that the rushed decisions had led to Odinga’s loss.
“I think Baba tried, he fought because two rounds he was ahead. I think he is keeping company that could not let him finish it with victory. The foreign policy of Ruto and his KK regime I believe is what cost Baba,” said Karua.
“When the entire Africa was standing with Palestinians, Dr Ruto rushed to support Israel, which must have cost Baba some votes. There are many other missed steps, in the way even now he is handling the RSF, but this is not even the first time. Remember he was named a mediator as IGAD head in Sudan and the generals refused. You remember he recognized Sahrawi the first time he was sworn in then something went wobbling.”
She added, “So, rushing to take positions without referring to what the policy position is in the country because personal whims do not inform foreign policy, it should be informed by well-researched policy paper and the position of the country if it has an impact on what other regional countries are thinking about, you should have reference to that.”
Karua expressed confidence that Odinga would have clinched the seat if he had not been involved with President Ruto since his credentials are prevalent across the continent.
She faulted the government for its foreign policy, noting that it should be well-researched and informed to ensure it aligns with the affected region or nations.
“We lack a coherent foreign policy and that is what cost Baba. If you see that amidst all that, he got 23 votes, then you can say he had an appeal and could have made it. All those blanders must have been the ones that cost Baba, because I don’t think that anybody in Africa is not aware of Baba’s credentials,” Karua said.
