Recent data presented to the Parliament have revealed that over half a billion shillings was spent by the government on Raila Odinga’s failed bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
According to the Defence Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, the National Treasury approved the expenditure of Sh523.85 million.
Committee chairman Nelson Koech informed the National Assembly’s Liaison Committee that the funds were used for chartering aircraft, hotel accommodation, airport transfers and publicity campaigns.
Over half a billion shillings was spent by the government on Raila Odinga’s failed bid for the Auc chairmanship. Photo: Courtesy.
“The committee approves spending of Sh523.84 million for the State Department for Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Affairs that was incurred in accordance with Article 223 of the Constitution,” Koech told the committee.
Koech also noted that the money was allocated to ‘international candidatures activity,’ specifically funding Kenya’s campaign for Odinga’s AUC chairmanship.
“The funds were utilised for Africa Union Chairmanship campaigns (chartered aircraft hire, hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and publicity and awareness creation),” Koech said in his submissions.
The confirmation comes weeks after Juja MP George Koimbori alleged that the government spent Sh13 billion on the campaign, a figure denied by both the government and Odinga.
The former prime minister lost to Djibouti’s long-serving Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, who secured the required 33 votes.
Raila exited the race after the sixth round of voting, where Youssouf garnered 26 votes against Odinga’s 22.
