By JULIUS MBALUTO 

Raila Odinga has lost the Africa Union Chairperson vote. The election took place earlier today at Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf won the race with 33 votes in the seventh round.

Raila Odinga had trailed him till 6th round when he dropped out of the race, leaving Djibouti's Foreign Minister to run. The third candidate was Madagascar's Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato who lost at the start  of the race.

There has been mixed reactions in Kenya. In the race 49 states participated with 6 countries suspended because they were under military rule. A candidate must garner 33 votes to succeed which is a two -thirds majority. The appointment lasts four years and can be renewed.