‘I will not engage in 2022 politics,’ Odinga declares

Opposition leader Raila odinga now says he will not engage in local politics ahead of the 2022 elections, but will instead focus on his new appointment to the African Union Commission.

In a statement issued by his spokesman Dennis Onyango, Mr. Odinga on Monday said he will dedicate his attention to “building infrastructure across the continent” and uniting Kenyans.

“To provide the required leadership in this critical area, and in line with his previous pronouncements, Mr. Odinga wishes to reiterate that he will not engage in Kenya’s succession politics ahead of 2022,” reads the statement.

“Mr. Odinga wants to dedicate the next couple of years to building infrastructure across the continent through his new office and uniting Kenyans through the Building Bridges to the New Kenyan Nation (BBI).”

Following Odinga’s appointment as High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, a section of political leaders have been calling on him to quit local politics and focus on his new role.

The former premier says he will be operating from Nairobi where an office will be set up to coordinate his activities as AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development.

“Since the position will require frequent travels particularly to foot-print member states and regional economic communities across the Continent, he will work with NEPAD offices in the various regions to coordinate his activities,” added Mr. Onyango.

According to the statement, Mr. Odinga’s new responsibilities will include “building political buy-in and ownership of member states, mobilizing Africa’s partners and resources to assist member states and facilitating member states to review and conform to recommendations on the Minimum Road/Highway Design of the Trans African Highway Network- among others.”