The African Union (AU) Permanent Representative Committee has proposed a raft of changes to the election rules that might block Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga from vying for the AU Committee Chairperson position.
In the proposals, the AU seeks to block member states that have previously held the chairperson and deputy chairperson seat from 2002 from contesting in the upcoming elections.
If the head of states and government adopt the proposal, Kenya will not be allowed to field a candidate in the AUC elections since it has previously held the deputy position.
Erastus Mwencha, from Kenya, served as the AUC deputy chairperson from 2008 to 2017.
This means that Raila will be locked out of the contest for the AU Commission Chairperson.
According to a 2018 decision, the position is rotational and therefore, the next AUC chairperson should come from the Eastern African region.
This now means that only Tanzania, and the other countries in the region will qualify to provide a candidate for the AUC job.
According to the Committee, the changes are part of a draft aimed at reforming the election for senior leaders at the AU Secretariat and making it more efficient.
AU Voting Procedure
However, for the proposal to become law, 44 member head of states and government must support it.
Decisions at the AU are made by consensus meaning that a single vote against the proposal blocks it from becoming law.
The changes which also introduced a gender angle are contained in the report on preparations for the election of senior leadership of AUC in February 2025.
President William Ruto has expressed his support for Raila’s candidacy.
The two Kenyan leaders recently met with Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
Also Read: Salary, Benefits and Powers Raila Stands to Enjoy as AU Boss
In a statement, Ruto announced they discussed critical issues affecting the two countries and Raila’s AUC chairperson bid.
“Also discussed was the declared candidacy of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the Africa Union Commission chairmanship,” said Ruto.
At the same time, Raila said “I am very grateful to President Museveni for strongly endorsing my candidacy and to President Ruto for fully backing it.”
Miguna Criticizes Raila Odinga’a Qualifications
Raila’s qualifications for the job have also been questioned by some leaders.
Amidst the debate, Dr Miguna Miguna quoted a document by the AUC to point out some requirements he felt Raila fell short of.
“To be chairman of the AU Council (the equivalent of the IEBC in Kenya), one must have AT LEAST a master’s degree in law, political science, business administration, economics, or social sciences,” the lawyer noted while quoting a document from the AU.
Besides his academic credentials, Miguna also emphasized that a candidate for the AUC chairmanship should have a clean bill in matters relating to integrity.
Also Read: How Raila’s AU Job Will Change 2027 Elections – Experts
Requirements for AU job
According to the document, a candidate should have a master’s degree in law, International Relations, Economics, Diplomacy, Management, Business Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences or closely related field from a recognized institution.
AUC also notes that a PhD in the fields mentioned above would be an added advantage for a candidate.
A candidate must also have at least twenty (20) years of relevant professional and international experience with at least ten (10) years served in a progressive senior leadership role.
According to the document, such leadership or professional experience should be in an intergovernmental organization or national government/public service, international or regional institution.
Other requirements include ability to speak in one AU working language, with proficiency in another AU working language coming as an added advantage.
Raila’s Profile
Raila has served in high-ranking positions in the public service including as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, as a Minister, and the Member of Parliament for Lang’ata between 1993 and 2011.
The former Prime Minister also attended the University of Leipzig, Germany.
However, his academic qualifications have been questioned.
This is however not among the fields mentioned in the AUC requirements.
