Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has lauded the secretariat handling former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship even as the race enters the homestretch.
In a statement on Friday, January 10, 2025, moments after meeting the team, Mudavadi revealed that they had mapped out the critical next steps, focusing on broadening the country’s outreach and strengthening partnerships with AUC member states.
“I chaired a meeting to review the progress we are making in advancing Rt. Hon. @RailaOdinga‘s bid for the African Union Commission Chairperson position. Hon. Odinga’s Secretariat presented impressive progress since Kenya launched its candidature in August last year, outlining key milestones and a strategic roadmap for the final push ahead of the AUC elections in February 2025,” Mudavadi stated.
“I applauded the Secretariat and the State Department for Foreign Affairs for their collaborative efforts in building robust momentum toward securing Kenya’s leadership at the helm of the African Union Commission. Together, we mapped out the critical next steps, focusing on broadening our outreach and strengthening partnerships with AUC member states. With confidence and unity, we remain steadfast in delivering a transformative leader for Africa.”
Raila’s campaign team includes Korir Sing’Oei, the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Elkanah Odembo, a former Kenyan ambassador to the United States, former Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim, Ambassador Anthony Okara, Professor Makau Mutua, and former Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu among others.
Recently, Ruto announced that he had secured Botswana’s support for Raila’s AUC candidacy.
Ruto made the confirmation via a statement on X on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, after meeting with the recently elected President of Botswana, Duma Boko.
This comes a day after Ruto met with President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo and also announced that the West African country will support Raila.
So far, Raila’s bid has been backed by DRC, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Burundi, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Algeria.
During the February 2025 elections, Raila will battle it out with Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard James Randriamandrato.