Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech has suggested that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga should be offered a role in President William Ruto’s government following his elimination in the race for African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.
Odinga, who was Kenya’s candidate for the top continental post, was eliminated in the sixth round of voting on Saturday, February 15, paving the way for Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who won in the seventh round with 33 votes.
READ: President Ruto Issues Statement After Raila Odinga’s AUC Bid Loss
Speaking on Citizen TV on Monday, Koech emphasized that Odinga’s vast political experience and leadership counsel could be valuable in strengthening Ruto’s administration.
He urged the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition to consider integrating Odinga into government, citing his decades of experience in governance and diplomacy.
“We in Kenya Kwanza should accommodate that experience and the counsel he will give us, and it will help in bettering our country and our management,” Koech stated.
As the chairperson of the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee in the National Assembly, Koech further speculated that Odinga could be offered a senior government position, including the possibility of reviving the Prime Minister’s office, a role Odinga previously held.
“We could even do better by having the office of the Prime Minister. I’m just having a wild thought on what could happen,” he remarked.
READ: Raila Odinga Fails To Win the African Union Commission Chairperson Seat
Koech also pointed to the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which had recommended the creation of the Leader of the Opposition office, suggesting that such deliberations could be revisited to determine an appropriate role for Odinga within government.
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about Odinga’s next political move following his failed AUC bid, as well as broader efforts to foster unity and inclusivity in Kenya’s political landscape.
