Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot has claimed that Kenya could be headed for a constitutional amendment following Raila Odinga’s failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Day Break program on Thursday, Aukot said he foresees a push to create a position for Odinga in President William Ruto’s administration, drawing parallels to past political arrangements like the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
“I foresee a referendum coming, the legislation of NADCO or BBI for the purposes of accommodating Raila Odinga,” Aukot stated.
Odinga, backed by President Ruto and state machinery, lost the AUC race to Djibouti’s candidate Mahamoud Ali Youssouf on Saturday. His defeat has reignited debate on his political future and potential realignments in Kenya’s leadership.
BBI, initiated in 2018 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga, proposed key constitutional changes, including the creation of a prime minister’s post, two deputy prime ministers, and an official opposition leader. The initiative was seen as a strategy to integrate Odinga into Kenyatta’s administration but was halted by the High Court in 2021 for being unconstitutional.
Similarly, NADCO emerged in 2023 as a product of negotiations between Ruto and Odinga following months of anti-government protests. It also proposed the creation of a prime minister’s office and an official opposition leader role.
Aukot, a vocal critic of both Ruto’s and Odinga’s political moves, dismissed Odinga as a “constant political failure” but acknowledged his ability to influence national politics.
“This is the most failed regime in Kenya’s history, and for them to continue being in that slumber, they would rather bring the biggest noisemaker who can mobilize a revolt on the streets,” Aukot remarked.
