Raila's defeat ignites call for his return to opposition leadership

Gloom and heartbreak engulfed veteran politician Raila Odinga's Nyanza and Western support bases as Kenyans came to terms with the loss of his African Union Commission chairperson bid.

It was an election they had hoped would have been the climax of Raila's political journey.

On Saturday, thousands of supporters who had gathered at various entertainment joints and at watch parties said they were disappointed following the loss.

At Kondele in Kisumu, residents who had thronged the Kondele roundabout left the place in small groups as they uttered their disappointments.

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Chants of "Ruto Must Go" rented the air in Kondele moments after it was confirmed that Raila had lost the AUC vote.

Some of the residents claimed Ruto's brand of politics was to blame for Raila's loss. They claimed they are welcoming Raila to revive the country's opposition.

"We welcome him to come back and revive the opposition that is on its deathbed. We had hoped he could retire in the continental stage but we still need him in Kenya," said Josephat Ouma, a resident.

However, they claimed the veteran politician had done the country proud by staging a good show in the polls whose fate was beyond them.

"I am disappointed. He did his best but it was not good enough. We cannot crucify him for trying," said Joash Ochieng, a resident.

Moses Ian, a resident of Market Milimani ward told Sunday Standard that the dynamics of continental politics meant that it could either way.

"It was a tough poll that has a lot of dynamics including regional blocks," said Ian.

Earlier, hundreds of Raila supporters were following the activities at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia where the AUC elections were being held in a giant screen that had been mounted.

They screamed and blew whistles in joy after results of the first round of the vote placed Raila ahead.

However, after a few rounds, dejection settled in with the residents, albeit with praises for Raila for putting what they described as a good show in the continent.

Faith Adoyo, a trader, said she had been hoping for a Raila victory in the AUC elections.

"He is still our leader. He had done us proud even though he has not won," she said.

A few metres away from Kondele at the Coptic Church, Father John Pesa 1 was leading a prayer meeting with his church members to seek God's intervention for Raila who was facing yet another historic contest of his life.

Pesa told journalists he was optimistic that Odinga would emerge victorious but urged residents to remain peaceful irrespective of the outcome.

His sentiments were echoed by Abraham Owino, a Kisumu ODM youth leader from Railways ward who was also at Kondele to follow the AUC elections.

"We have been supporting Raila since he started politics, whether he wins or not we are still behind him," he said.

For some, Raila's loss at the AUC presents him with another chance to redeem his standings in local politics.

They claimed he should now decide whether to back Ruto's administration to achieve its goals or retreat to keep him in check.

"The loss is not a big loss for the country. We still need him here in Kenya to either help Ruto or challenge his administration,"says Maurine Mwavali.

It however remains to be seen if the ODM chief who had taken a break from local politics will retreat back and reset his batteries for another ride with Kenya Kwanza.

In Western, supporters praised him for challenging for the AUC commission seat and described him as a brave soldier.

They claimed his good visions for Africa will be implemented in Kenya if they continue with their working relations with President Ruto.

"He has been unlucky but we hope the good ideas he had for the continent will not die with this loss," said Joseph Juma.

In Migori, residents who had planned celebration parties were also left a disappointed lot following the loss

Saitoti Jabuya who is a resident of Migori town said he had expected Raila to win the seat so that as Kenyans we may have an African leader from Kenya

Charles Khamisi who is traders' chairman in Migori said they had hoped and prayed that God would give Raila victory.

Morphine Sawo, another resident of Migori town said she was disappointed with the results.

"We wanted him to go and represent Kenyans in Africa," Ms. Sawo said.

Raila's allies in ODM said that the campaign team that the president had formed tried their best but did not achieve their desired goal.

"Raila gave a good run but unfortunately he did not win. He is still our leader and we will back him and support any decision he makes going forward," said a senior ODM official.