Kimilili Member of Parliament Dismus Barasa has been put on the spot for circulating a poll alleging that Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship contest Raila Odinga has taken an early lead.
In the poster, the MP alleged that according to an opinion poll, Raila had taken an early lead with 80 per cent followed by Mohamoud Ali of Djibouti with 8 percent.
“Raila Odinga takes the early lead! The AUC CHAIRMANSHIP seat is Ours for keeps!,” read the caption of the poster posted by the MP on X on Thursday.
The poster further alleged that Richard Randrimandrato gained 2 percent of the votes with 10 per cent still remaining undecided. The poster was circulated on social media platforms and gained a lot of traction.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa at a past event.
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Didmus Barasa
However, Amani Africa, on Friday, 12 December, denied the poster, revealing that they had not conducted such a poll. They criticised the MP for being irresponsible, describing his actions as malicious and criminal.
“This is utterly irresponsible. The use of an organisation that never undertook a poll is disinformation, misinformation, and maliciously criminal,” read the post by Amani Africa on X.
The organisation has demanded that the MP withdraw its logo from the poster immediately.
“Amani Africa totally rejects this act and demands the immediate withdrawal of the use of its logo,” the post continued.
The fake information by the MP comes at a time when Africa is waiting to see the three candidates engage in a debate dubbed Mjadala Afrika expected to happen on Friday, December 13 from 7 p.m.
Raila Odinga is Kenya’s candidate for the much-contested seat and will be battling for the position alongside Mahmoud Ali of Djibouti, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard Randriamandrato.
The debate is set to be a landmark event in the lead-up to the election of the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The seat will be vacant in February 2025 as Moussa Faki Mahamat’s term will be coming to an end.
Presidents William Ruto (Center), Yoweri Museveni and Samia Suluhu (Left), and Salva Kiir with Raila Odinga (Right) and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Jakaya Kikwete (behind) at State House, Nairobi.
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PSC