Kenya has intensified lobbying for Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairship bid, with President William Ruto saying East African Community heads of state have agreed to front one candidate for the continental job.
Speaking on Tuesday during the opening of the third session of the East African Legislative Assembly at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, President Ruto said the move points to the strength, unity and spirit of leadership in the community.
“The chair of the AU [Commission] is coming up next year as the term of our chair, Moussa Faki, comes to an end. It is going to be the turn for East Africa to provide the chair of the African Union [Commission,” the President told the legislators.
“We have sat down in the spirit of the East African Community, we have consulted as heads of state from the East African Community together and we have agreed to sponsor one candidate as East Africans. That is the strength of our community that we can do things together and we can consult amongst one another. It speaks to the spirit of the leadership that is being provided by our region,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi called on African countries to support Kenya’s bid.
Speaking to the African Diplomatic Corps in Nairobii, Mudavadi said Kenya will use its leadership of the AU Commission to promote intra-African relations, including in trade and investments, and build a more interconnected and prosperous Africa.
“Kenya is determined to strengthen its position within the African Union Commission,” Mudavadi said.
Raila announced his candidature for the position on February 15 and last week said he has received support from at least six heads of state, and would this week travel to Kigali to hold talks with President Paul Kagame.
On Tuesday, he said he is aware he needs to garner at least two-thirds support from the African heads of state and government, and would thus traverse the continent to seek that support.
The election comes up in the next AU Summit in February 2025, following the expiry of Faki’s second and last term.
