Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has revealed the details of the closed door meeting he held with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in regard to his candidacy for the position of the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
Speaking after the meeting, Raila said the meeting was held to assess the preparation from his team and the government’s team for campaigns to bag the position.
The Azimio leader said the two teams also discussed the next steps that are required to be taken ahead of the official submission of his candidature.
“Mudavadi shared with me the situation, level of preparation and commitment in the government. I have been encouraged by the number of senior government officials offering to be part of this journey and our understanding that we are in this as Kenya not as partisan political parties. I appreciate the offer of support,” Raila said.
Cooperation & Coordination Key
Raila explained that Kenya will win the post if both government and the opposition remain committed and develop proper coordination in their campaign.
“I shared with the government team the situation and level of preparation outside the government. I assured the team that I am making every effort tapping into my experience, relationships and understanding of the continent to win the support of as many nations as I can,” he said.
He stated coordination and synergy will be critical as Kenya embarks on the next steps that include the submission of his candidature.
“We agreed on the need for efficiency, need to cut bureaucracy and unveil a well-oiled joint effort going forward. Like all campaigns plans emerge and change suddenly, and we need to respond to them as suddenly as they emerge,” he said.
Raila also asked leaders to understand the sensitivities including national, regional, continental and global dimensions and act responsibly during his quest.
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Ruto’s Support
Raila emphasized that he is vying for the AUC chairmanship and not a local office in the Kenya Kwanza government,
He explained that he needs the government’s support led by President William Ruto to submit his candidature and contest for the position.
“I wish to reiterate that I am vying for a position in Africa not in the government of Kenya, but I need the endorsement of the government of Kenya for that African position,” he said.
Besides, he explained that his foreign friends asked to run for the position since he was the best person to occupy the position.
“Many of my friends from outside Kenya approached me and told me that this position of AUC chairmanship is becoming vacant next year, and they looked around the continent and felt that I have the best credentials to take this organization forward. After a lot of soul searching and consultations among my colleagues and friends, I made the decision to accept the request,” he said.
Also Read: Babu Owino Asks Raila to Honor One More Request Before Pursuing AU Seat
Raila AUC Chairmanship Bid
On May 15, the Republic of Seychelles endorsed its former Vice President and the Minister of Foreign and Tourism Affairs Vincent Meriton for the AUC chairperson’s position.
Other leaders who have declared their candidature included, Fawzia Yussuf from Somalia and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti.
Raila declared his interest in the role back in February 2024 in a presser with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo who endorsed him for the job.
He has since received endorsements from several head of states and institutions including the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat.
Raila also announced in a past presser that he has secured the support of six presidents in his campaigns for the AUC top job.
Among the leaders are Kenya’s President William Ruto, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Felix Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of Congo, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Samia Suluhu of Tanzania.
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