Kibaki turns down S.A bid for AU top job

President Kibaki has turned down a request from South Africa to support its candidate Dlamini Zuma for the chairperson post at the African Union (AU) commission May 10, 2012. FILE

President Kibaki has turned down a request from South Africa to support its candidate Dlamini Zuma for the chairperson post at the African Union (AU) commission.

The President said South Africa's ambition for the AU top job clashes with Kenya's own interest to have Erastus Mwencha for the post Deputy Chairperson.

The African Union's leadership operates on the principle that both the chairman and his deputy cannot come from Anglophone countries.

South Africa and Kenya are Anglophone states.

President Kibaki met with the South African delegation on Wednesday.

"The President made it clear to the South African delegation that Kenya has a candidate who is seeking to become the deputy chairperson," said Kenya's Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyoka.

"It is nearly impossible for Kenya to vote for South Africa because Anglophone states will need one of the seats.

"There was an ad-hoc committee formed to work out the matter. South Africa was told to wait for the committee's report."