ODM leader Raila Odinga decision to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta left his supporters and detractors off guard. The former Prime Minister promise to lead his troops to ‘Canaan’ from Egypt was unexpectedly abandoned. To the likes of Miguna Miguna, the opposition chief had been paid off-he was already in Canaan after the famed ‘handshake’ now corrupted to handcheque.
Reports of money changing hands to slow down Raila’s momentum to disorganize the government of Uhuru Kenyatta dominated banter on social media platforms. Miguna Miguna claimed Raila had been paid billions for the handshake. The rumors aside, the President played a key role in the appointment of Raila Odinga as the African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
His appointment by AU chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat was exciting news as he will now engage in some meaningful role ahead of the 2022 election.
Raila new roles will include:
Supporting and strengthening efforts of the Commission’s relevant Departments and those of the Planning and Coordinating Agency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Mobilize further political support from Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and facilitating greater ownership by all concerned stakeholders on the continent.
Focus on the continental high-speed train, which is one of the flagship projects of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.
Offices in five capitals
As clarified by his spokesman Mr Dennis Onyango, “Mr Odinga will continue operating from Nairobi, where an office will be set up to coordinate his activities as AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development”.
Other offices will be in:
- Ethiopia- Addis Ababa
- Southern African region-South Africa
- Northern African region-Egypt
- Western African region-Nigeria
Raila Odinga salary
The appointee in the prestigious position of African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa comes with handsome pay and perks.
Raila will not take anything less than US$200,000 (Kes20million) per year. That translates to about US$16,600 (kes1.6million) per month. This will make him one of the highest paid politician in Kenya, if our estimates are near correct.
Allocation in proposed budget
The Treasury CS Ukur Yatani proposed a handsome allocation for the AU special envoy. Here is the allocation of Raila Odinga:
AU Envoy Proposed Budget Allocation
- Luxury cars-Kshs. 26 million
- Furniture-Kshs. 10 million
- Insurance-Kshs. 20 million
- Staff-kshs. 10 million
He has medical cover, official vehicles and a body guard assigned to him whenever is out of the country on official duties.
