MPs: Those celebrating Raila's AUC loss are unpatriotic
Parliament in a past session. The Parliamentary Budget Office has warned that funding could hinder the implementation of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.
Members of Parliament have castigated Kenyans who celebrated the defeat of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in his bid to become chairperson of the African Union Commission, saying they are unpatriotic.
In an extraordinary motion in the National Assembly, tabled by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, the lawmakers said it was not Mr Odinga who was on the ballot at the continental level, but Kenya as a country.
The MPs said through Mr Odinga's defeat, Kenya lost an opportunity to be on the continental stage and control a number of key agendas that promote Pan-Africanism.
Uasin Gishu MP and Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss said it's the envy of any country to hold such a position.
"Raila Odinga was not the candidate, Kenya was the candidate. So any Kenyan who is happy that he lost is unpatriotic. Any person who makes derogatory remarks is doing a disservice not to Raila Odinga but to Kenya," Ms Boss said.
"When you have that position as a country, you have the ability to control African free trade and promote African unity in the movement of people from one country to another," she added.
She said she would like to see a change of attitude from Kenyans in the future whenever a Kenyan aspires to such a position.
"I call on Kenyans that when these positions come up and we have a Kenyan candidate, that candidate is not an individual candidate but a national candidate and it's up to us to support him," Ms Boss said.
Minority leader Junet Mohamed said as a party they had learnt their lesson and would not forget how some people reacted to the outcome of Saturday's poll in Addis Ababa.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
"Some Kenyans became so unpatriotic that they spent a whole year campaigning for a candidate who is not a Kenyan. The first thing we have to look at is being Kenyan, not the community you come from," said Mr Mohamed.
Mr Mohamed said Kenya would still have candidates for other international posts and patriotism should come before anything else.
"I saw some people celebrating, we will revisit that and we will not forget that as a community. We will also celebrate and that time is coming very soon," he added.
Nyando MP Jared Okelo warned that those who think Mr Odinga's defeat at the AUC signals a done deal for political relations with President Ruto are in for a shock.
"When Raila jets back to join his brother Ruto, you will be shocked. Raila will give us direction on where to go as a community and as a country," Mr Okelo said.
Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo described those celebrating Odinga's loss as busy bodies who should find something to do in life.
"I want to encourage those who are talking nonsense to find their purpose in life, whether Raila wins or not doesn't matter, it is inspiring enough that at 80 years old he was confident enough to seek this position," Ms Odhiambo said.
'Tighter relationship'
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma said if anyone thinks that Mr Odinga's failure to win the AUC seat will lead to the collapse of the broad-based government, they should be prepared for a "tighter" working relationship.
"Some people think there will be animosity after this contest, let me tell you that we will hold President Ruto's hands even tighter than before," Mr Kaluma said.
Daadab MP Farah Maalim said the country needed healing and told those who still viewed Mr Odinga through tribal lenses that they had no place in the country.
"It is a pity that we see ourselves as hyphenated Kenyans and demonise the hard work, wisdom, aspirations and achievements of Kenyans by looking at where such a person comes from," Mr Maalim said.
"The candidature in the AUC contest was Kenyan, Raila was secondary. Losing and winning is neither here nor there, there is need to unite as a country and I want to urge Raila and Ruto to unite and unite this country," Mr Maalim said.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan called on President Ruto and Mr Odinga to work together ahead of the 2027 elections.
"I want to urge Raila and Ruto to work together until 2027. The naysayers who are tribalists have no place in this country. Our tribe does not define our borders. That ideology has been overtaken by events," said Mr Keynan.
The MPs thanked President Ruto for supporting Mr Odinga until the last minute, even committing resources to ensure his success.