However, it made absolutely no sense for Mr Odinga to gun for the continental assignment unless he intended to give it his full commitment and attention. The African governments he needed to lobby for their votes would have looked askance at any campaign that approached the important position as just a side hustle.
The reality is that for Mr Odinga, at 79, the AU job was the ideal opportunity to gradually retire from politics with his head held high and his honour intact.
For his legions of supporters frustrated that five attempts at the presidency dating back to 1997 have not born fruit, the Addis Ababa posting would be adequate elevation to the Leader of Africa than just the president of a single country.
An exit of that nature would work for him as it would for President Ruto, a smart and pragmatic politico who obviously seized the opportunity to ease his nemesis into graceful retirement and rid himself of a perpetual pest.
It was a win-win situation, which also came on the back of the National Dialogue process launched in July last year by which Mr Odinga agreed to halt a series of street protests that had virtually shut down Kenyas main economic hubs.
The respite offered valuable breathing space for President Ruto to drive his agenda without undue distractions with Mr Odingas AU job quest coming as an added bonus.
However, Mr Odingas absence left a gigantic vacuum in opposition leadership. His own Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party was cruelly exposed for the paucity of credible alternatives while the broader Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party floated around leaderless and rudderless.
Azimio co-principals Martha Karua of Narc-Kenya and Wiper chief Kalonzo Musyoka have tried to fill the void but by pulling in different directions as they compete to inherit the mantle from Mr Odinga.
Both have pledged to reignite agitation against the government misdeeds but the reality is, none of them, whether individually or collectively, can mobilise even a dozen protesters onto the streets ready to defy police bullets, teargas, truncheons and water cannons.
If Mr Odinga is signalling that he is ready to come back and reclaim his space ahead of the 2027 General Election, it stands to reason that he is quitting the AU quest. He cant have it both ways: His AU prospects are dependent on active Government of Kenya support.
The scourge of fake papers The Kenyan university has become a brothel. Oguda: We thank downpours for giving jobs to intercessors at the House on the Hill There is need for Kenyans to understand the deeper meaning of a national disaster. Mathiu: Cmon, save us from the deluge This is the worst flood disaster in recent memory and there is room for things to get a lot worse. Onyango-Obbo: From drought hell to flood horrors In Kenya and Tanzania, the death toll is around 200 in each of the countries.Its free!
Yes, please! You already have an account? Log in Unlock a world of exclusive content Unlock a world of exclusive content Subscribe now Already have an account? Sign in here
