Kalonzo: Why I support Raila’s pursuit of AUC chairmanship

These are unprecedented times, certainly in Africa’s remarkable documented and unwritten history.

We now need men and women—young and getting along—who have dared to dream, weathered the storm and guided in selflessness to help steer this amazing continent’s present and future.

Tonnes of ink space—in print and online—have been dedicated to attempting to assign and characterise Raila Odinga.

Babafemi Badejo’s choice of the word “Enigma” when he penned the indelible biography in 2016—tracking, tracing and explaining Raila’s role in shaping Kenya’s political history—was apt.

Raila’s ability to keep soldiering on, keep the eternal flame of democracy burning—despite and in spite of all attempts to silence his voice—I believe, has resulted in Raila being one of the most consequential personalities, indeed statesmen, of our times.

Last year, when Raila made his intention clear that he would be vying for the African Union Commission presidency, my immediate thought was, “Well done, my brother.”

When Raila released to the public his bio profile, I was immediately impressed by what was not reflected; that is, his capacity to forgive, sit beside and reason with those who had caused him and his family the most harm.

Some have referenced him as today’s reincarnation of Nelson Mandela and it is hard to disagree.

His commitment to ensuring our continent receives the respect it deserves globally and occupies its rightful place in her affairs rekindles the aspirations of Pan-Africanists across generations and decades of struggles to unite our continent.

Raila’s vision for our beloved continent resonates with Africans on the continent and globally.

He has made commitments in his manifesto that have the capacity to make Africa realise its vast and untapped potential.

Raila’s commitment to fast-tracking the implementation of the continental infrastructure master plan, which was developed under his leadership as the African Union Commission’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development, will create the needed African connectivity, ease access, build solidarity and increase intra-Africa trade.

The intervention will also give impetus to the energy, finance and related sectors.

Raila’s pledge to rejuvenate the efforts to silence the guns in our continent will help build peace, ensure food security and spur development, thereby emancipating the continent and its people from the demeaning and dilapidated history of food aid.

Furthermore, his dedication to changing governance across the continent will advance democracy, human rights, and the engagement of women, youth, and marginalised groups.

I believe Raila’s commitment to restoring the dignity of the continent and its people will bring hope and honour to all Africans on the continent and in the diaspora.

As a friend, brother, political party coalition partner and African with Africa’s best interests at heart, I believe Raila’s recorded promises, which have been archived for posterity, have the potential to help Africa reach its full potential.

As a son of Kenya and an internationally respected advocate of our continent’s well-being, I fully support Raila’s bid for the AUC presidency and wish him all the best.