Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has expressed confidence that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will emerge victorious in his bid to become the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Speaking on Friday 7th February 2025 during the official opening of the Ojola Huduma Centre in Kisumu West, Prof. Kindiki revealed that President William Ruto is spearheading efforts to rally support for Mr. Odinga ahead of the decisive vote scheduled for February 16 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“The President is fully supporting Raila’s candidature to be the next AUC chairman. The President is Raila’s biggest campaigner. The first voter for Raila will be the President. The chief mobiliser and agent is President Ruto,” said the Deputy President.
Prof. Kindiki emphasized that the government is united in backing Mr. Odinga’s candidacy, describing him as the most qualified contender for the influential continental role.
“We are confident that Raila is going to be the next chairman of the AUC. He is a qualified Kenyan. He deserves it, and he has the ideology that will take this continent to the next level,” he added.
The Deputy President’s remarks come amid an intensified diplomatic push by the Kenyan government to secure votes from member states of the African Union. Mr. Odinga’s candidacy has been positioned as a testament to Kenya’s commitment to advancing Pan-African ideals and strengthening the AU’s role in continental development.
Mr. Odinga, who has previously served as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, is banking on his extensive experience in governance and regional diplomacy to secure the top seat.
The AUC chairmanship vote is set to be a pivotal moment for Kenya’s diplomatic influence within the African Union, with strong government backing underscoring the significance of Mr. Odinga’s candidacy on both national and continental stages.
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