Kenya Under Raila and Ruto Raises the Profile of African Leadership By Billy Mijungu In a stunning turn of events following the just concluded AUC Elections, the African political landscape has been irrevocably altered. The loss of Raila Odinga, a man whose towering profile and unparalleled fanatical support set him apart from any other African leader, has sent ripples through the corridors of power from Addis Ababa to Nairobi. It is no secret that African Presidents have long harbored a quiet dread of Raila’s meteoric appeal. In a recent twist that could only be described as emblematic of this fear, President Museveni, apparently unnerved by the prospect of having to champion his brother’s candidacy, opted out of what many saw as a ceremonial lobbying exercise. At a recent Luo festival an event charged with both cultural pride and political symbolism, Museveni, while a guest, went so far as to liken the Chairmanship of the AUC to that of a mere preacher. This remark encapsulates the prevailing sentiment the AUC, stripped of any real power, has devolved into a stage for endless lobbying and trivial errands for African Heads of State. Who, then, needs such a hollow platform when Africa is shackled by a colonial legacy? Under the crushing weight of Arab and French hegemony, the continent’s true potential is often stifled. The farce of leadership that purports to steer the destiny of sub Saharan Africa, manipulated further by the self serving machinations of organizations like SADC, only reinforces the notion that Africa has been left to operate under outdated imposed orders. Looking to the future, it is clear that Africa’s salvation lies not in empty titles but in unity and that unity must be linguistic. The next decade demands that we embrace Swahili and Arabic as our unifying tongues, liberating our collective consciousness from a mental slavery that has for too long defined our interactions with the world. Raila Odinga’s venture into Addis Ababa was more than just a political campaign. It was a bold declaration that Kenyan politics charged, celebratory, and unapologetically vibrant could offer a template for the rest of Africa. Many nations, long accustomed to a muted political discourse, found themselves bewildered by Kenya’s dynamism. The mere possibility of Raila commandeering Africa’s political narrative was enough to shock the international community into inaction voting against a Kenya that seemed poised to overturn the established order was almost instinctive. What, then, must be our course of action? First, Africa must urgently resolve its linguistic fragmentation. A common language is not a trivial matter it is the cornerstone upon which seamless trade and mutual trust can be built, an objective that should have been at the forefront of our Founding Fathers’ agenda. With such unity, commerce and cooperation would no longer be impeded by miscommunication and cultural barriers. Moreover, Kenya must take a definitive stand in supporting African interests. The East African Community (EAC), with its reputation as a money galping organization yielding scant tangible results, has overstayed its welcome. In its place, Kenya should champion a more pragmatic trade focused alliance that truly represents the aspirations of our people. Finally, as a strategic necessity, Kenya should legislate to protect Rwanda as its natural outpost a bulwark in a region that is as volatile as it is promising. Rwanda, with its resilient spirit and unwavering commitment to its people, stands ready to shoulder its part in safeguarding our collective future. Redirecting resources from the failing EAC to strengthen this alliance is not merely a political maneuver it is an imperative for our survival in a rapidly evolving continent. In these turbulent times, Kenya’s recent electoral outcome is not just a national story it is a mirror reflecting the broader challenges and opportunities that face all of Africa. Our future hinges on breaking free from the shackles of colonial legacies, embracing true unity through language and trade, and forging alliances that stand the test of both time and turmoil. Facebook X Instagram TikTok LinkedIn @BillyMijungu #forward #tusongembele