Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now claims that Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga was dismissed from his post as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development.

According to DP Gachagua, Mr. Odinga did not ask to be freed from his role at the Union as he claimed, but was – in all senses of the word - fired.

Speaking in Mombasa during the launch of the Taifa Gas plant in Dongo Kundu on Friday, the DP said the AU relieved Mr. Odinga of his duties following his continued political demonstrations, thereby making him unsuitable for the role.

“Haya maandamano yanatia huyu mzee hasara kubwa sana…Amekuwa na kazi kubwa ya African Union infrastructure, amewacha hiyo kazi ameenda maandamano, amefukuzwa kwa hiyo kazi, si imemtia hasara sana?” Gachagua posed.

“Hii maandamano amefanya zaidi ya miaka ishirini, kila mwaka anapata hasara…ameambiwa huyu mzee hapatikani kazini ako maandamano akipiga kelele.”

The DP went on to commend the AU for the decision to dismiss the former premiere saying it should serve as a lesson to people who fail to do their work and participate in other things.

“Si ata hao wa African Union wamefanya vile inatakikana kwa sababu kama hauko kazini, si watatafuta mwingine?” He posed.

Likewise, DP Gachagua scoffed at the Azimio demonstrations saying they’re of no consequence to government-run businesses.

He, however, urged Likoni MP Mishi Mboko – who was present - to advise her party principal against continued rallies since they were becoming insignificant.

“Ata huyu mzee wa maandanano hakuna shida, si maandamano ni kuandamana alafu anaenda nyumbani jioni, kuna kitu inabadilika?” He posed.

“I’m sending you MP Mboko mwambie…haya maandamano yanatia huyu mzee hasara kubwa sana.”

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a letter dated February 19, thanked Mr. Odinga for his service and wished him well in future.

He said the African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) will take over the role.

“Your exceptional leadership and unique command of the issues concerned has been crucial to the leveraging of infrastructure as a key priority within the Continental agenda. The transformation of the NEPAD agency to the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD has now been completed, with full mandate to implement the Continental agenda on infrastructure,” Mahamat said.

Mr. Odinga, in a subsequent letter to the African Union Chairperson shared on his Twitter account, said he asked to be relieved of his duties due to challenges occasioned by his “continued unavailability.”

“During our meeting on the sidelines of the 2nd Dakar African Infrastructure Financing Summit in Dakar, Senegal about three weeks ago, I indicated the challenges to my continued availability for the role of AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa. In that regard, I welcome your quick action that will free me to pursue other pressing and urgent matters,” he said.