Opposition leader Raila Odinga is poised to be named an African Union Special Envoy as part of his truce with President Uhuru Kenyatta, effectively elevating him to a continental statesman.
The Star has established that talks are at an advanced stage with the African Union Commission to appoint the Nasa leader to the league of respected continental leaders overseeing peace efforts in different parts of Africa.
Uhuru is personally leading the lobbying at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa and Commission chairperson Moussa Faki is said to have agreed to appoint Raila to the position.
The AU, UN and western powers mounted pressure on Uhuru and Raila to cease hostilities leading to the historic handshake of March 9, which ended a seven months’ political standoff after last year’s two disputed Presidential elections.
As a special envoy of the AU chairperson, Raila will have an office in Addis but with frequent travel across the continent to mediate in peace negotiations and conflict resolution.
Raila will also have a fully-furnished office in Nairobi, with staff and advisers to boost his local presence and unity programmes with Uhuru. He will however not be engaged in the country’s daily politics.
This raises the possibility that Raila, 73, who has unsuccessfully run for President four times, could be exiting the Kenya’s political arena ahead of the 2022 polls.
The government is said to have already identified a building along Harambee Avenue which is already undergoing renovations in anticipation of Raila’s enhanced roles.
The offices of the President and Deputy President are located along the same road.
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