The leader of the One Kenya Coalition, Raila Odinga, is set to formally present his bid for a position within the African Union Commission on April 15, in anticipation of the upcoming elections next year.
Recent reports indicate that President William Ruto’s administration is actively organizing a campaign secretariat and allocating a substantial budget to bolster Raila’s electoral endeavors.
This development follows the unanimous endorsement by the African Union Executive Council to exclusively allow the East African Community to nominate the forthcoming AUC chairperson.
The approval of this decision marks a significant triumph for Raila in his pursuit of contesting the position during the February 2025 elections, as sanctioned by the African Heads of State and Government.
Raila’s continental campaign efforts are anticipated to be led by President Ruto himself, supported by key figures such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Korir Sing’oei. They will collaborate closely with Raila’s AUC campaign secretariat, comprising prominent diplomats and strategists, spearheaded by former Kenyan ambassador to the United States, Elkanah Odembo.
Odembo disclosed to a local publication that a comprehensive secretariat is under establishment, accompanied by the formulation of a detailed budget. However, he refrained from disclosing specific budgetary figures, citing ongoing discussions scheduled for the forthcoming week.
He emphasized the overarching objective of securing victory in the February 2025 elections by garnering the requisite two-thirds majority of eligible member states’ votes in the initial round.
Furthermore, Odembo outlined a three-pronged campaign strategy, involving short-term, medium-term, and long-term phases, aimed at garnering support from different regions across the continent.
Mudavadi, in a recent address during a thanksgiving and prayer service, emphasized the importance of rallying behind Raila’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship, stressing its significance to national interests. He urged leaders to refrain from undermining this endeavor and encouraged unified support towards achieving this goal.
