- Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi defended the number of Kenyan delegates at the AU Commission (AUC) election summit in Addis Ababa.
- He emphasized that Kenya’s delegation was kept lean to reflect the country’s economic situation.
- Mudavadi clarified that some Kenyans traveled voluntarily to support Raila Odinga’s bid for the AUC chairmanship.
- Saboti MP Caleb Amisi confirmed that he covered his travel expenses, citing his interest in international relations.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, February 12, Mudavadi said Kenya’s participation in the AU summit aligns with past practices. He explained that the delegation was composed of key government officials, including the President, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and other officials responsible for diplomatic engagements.
“This is an important summit; an election summit. This summit is about electing the new AUC chair and other factors. The government delegation has always been led by the president and the minister of foreign affairs. Our delegation is not extraordinary, we are conscious of the economic situation in Kenya and I want Kenyans to appreciate this,” Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi also clarified that some Kenyans traveled at their own expense to show support for Raila Odinga, who is vying for the AU Commission chairmanship. He dismissed claims that the government was funding unnecessary trips, emphasizing that those who traveled voluntarily did so out of patriotism.
“The Kenyans who are coming are out of their volition. It’s not an expenditure from the government of Kenya. These are people who have decided, because of their patriotism, they want to cross over from a neighboring country to come here to have an opportunity to give moral support to the Kenyan candidate,” he said.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi confirmed that he financed his trip to Addis Ababa. He explained that, as a member of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee and a student of international relations, he had a personal interest in attending the summit.
“I have sponsored myself. I have my ticket and accommodation ready and I have M-Pesa messages. I am going because I am on the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee and a student of international relations. It is good to escort your party leader in such an important undertaking. Even if I was a private citizen, I would have gone,” Amisi stated.
