Kenya Newspapers, August 28: The Only Obstacle That Can Stop Raila Odinga From Seizing AUC Seat

The newspapers of Wednesday, August 28, extensively reported the events of Nairobi on Tuesday, August 27, the day Kenya's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) was officially launched.

Front pages of Daily Nation and People Daily newspapers. Image: Screenshots from Daily Nation and People Daily.
Source: UGC

1. Daily Nation

The daily newspaper analyzed Raila Odinga's chances of winning the African Union Commission (AUC).

His quest was officially launched by the government Kenya on Tuesday, August 28.

Analysts told the Daily Nation newspaper that the Francophone-Anglophone divide could be important during the vote.

This continent has 28 Francophone (French-speaking) countries and 24 Anglophone (English-speaking) countries.

Kizito Salaba, a lecturer at the College University of Nairobi (UoN), said the division could affect the vote despite the silence of the division.

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However, he pointed out that Raila he can support the fact that none of the French-speaking countries will present a candidate.

“The advantage that Raila may have is that there seems to be no strong French-speaking candidate as we speak. All along, the division of the French in the AU has always been a factor, regardless of the candidate,” he said.

However, Erastus Mwencha felt that the division may have little influence on the final outcome of the vote.

Mwencha, who is currently the chairman of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), was the Deputy Chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC).

He said his choice was not influenced by Anglo vs Francophone displays of superiority.

Mwebcha said that the candidate's knowledge about what the job entails, experience and the prevailing political situation are the main factors involved.

“If the Anglophone-Francophone divide was the reason, I would never have been elected,” Mwencha said.

Raila will compete with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius Anil Gayan and the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Djibouti Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.