As the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson enters the final four months, Kenya’s candidate Raila Odinga has moved to rally support for his candidacy.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Singo’ei in a statement on November 2 said that he engaged senior diplomats & academics at a reflection meeting on Raila Odinga’s AUC candidacy.
During the official launch of Kenya’s AUC bid in August which was presided over by President William Ruto and other East African Heads of State, PS Sing’oei led a Secretariat that would assist in Odinga’s AUC chairmanship campaign alongside former Kenyan ambassador to the US Elkana Odembo.
President Ruto while speaking during the official unveiling said that the secretariat team will also include a diverse membership drawn from the five regions of the African community.
“To assist in making the case for Hon Odinga’s candidature, I also unveil the secretariat, which will be led by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and Ambassador Elkana Odembo. It will also include a diverse membership drawn from the five regions of the African Union,” Ruto disclosed.
Since then, the Secretariat has moved to make significant strides with PS Sing’oei saying that the recent engagement with diplomats was hosted by the Global Centre for Policy and Strategy (GLOCEPS).
PS Singo’ei meets diplomas over Odinga AUC Chair bid
GLOCEPS is a leading center of excellence in policy influence and strategy formulation based in Nairobi, Kenya.
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The Centre provides strategic linkage between experience and research by bringing together outstanding professionals, thought leaders and academia to advance key issues on peace and security.
“Benefited from engaging Senior diplomats & academics at a reflection meeting on the African Union Commission candidacy of Raila Odinga hosted by the Global Centre for Policy and Strategy. We welcome support from stakeholders on the continent towards strengthening the campaign & delivery platform,” said PS Sing’oei.
Ruto and Mudavadi drum up support for Raila
This comes after President Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi drummed up support for Odinga during the Common Market for East and Central Africa (COMESA) Summit in Bujumbura, Burundi.
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Mudavadi and Ruto represented Odinga’s interests at the summit, calling on COMESA states to back his bid.
The PCS praised Odinga as a leader capable of steering Africa toward peace, integration, and prosperity, highlighting his extensive diplomatic and advocacy experience.
“Raila Odinga possesses outstanding diplomatic and advocacy skills, with a proven ability to engage global, continental, and regional leaders to advance Africa’s interests,” Mudavadi stated, during a session where Kenya was announced as COMESA’s incoming Vice President.
On his part, President Ruto held bilateral talks with Zambian President Hakaime Hichilema on the margins of the Summit who expressed his country’s commitment to support Odinga.
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