Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | President William Ruto is overseeing the official launch of Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship at State House, Nairobi.
The launch marks the start of Mr Odinga’s official campaigns ahead of the February 2025 elections to replace outgoing chair Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The EAC’s membership consists of eight States including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republics of Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan.
The event has drawn significant regional attention, with three East African Presidents in attendance: Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Salva Kiir of South Sudan.
The launch also features Burundi’s Prime Minister, Gervais Ndirakobuca, and former Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria.
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Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is represented by his Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe. Their presence underscored the regional and continental backing for Mr Odinga’s bid.
Raila Odinga is aiming to succeed Moussa Faki of Chad, whose tenure as AUC chair concludes early next year.
Raila is facing competition from Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
Mr Odinga has already named his team which is composed of experienced diplomats including former Executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mahboub Maalim, Kenya’s former Ambassador to the United States Elkanah Odembo, Ambassador Anthony Okara as well as Prof Makau Mutua and former Nyeri Deputy Governor Dr Caroline Karugu.
