Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | During the official unveiling of Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship at State House, Nairobi, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni entertained the audience with his humorous speech.
At the event, Museveni began his address in his typical relaxed manner, eventually transitioning into a ‘lecture’ to his fellow heads of state. He spoke on Pan-Africanism and emphasized the strength the continent could achieve through unity among its leaders.
“I’m here to support the candidature of Raila Odinga on behalf of Uganda because he’s a convinced Pan-Africanist,” he started off to a loud applause.
Leaders in attendance included Presidents Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, and Gervais Ndirakobuca, the Prime Minister of Burundi. Former Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria were also present, along with Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, General James Kabarebe, who represented President Paul Kagame.
Museveni endorsed Raila Odinga as the ideal candidate for the AU chairmanship, highlighting that Raila’s candidacy is driven by genuine leadership qualities rather than personal career advancement. He praised Raila as a visionary who can guide Africa towards economic prosperity.
“Prosperity comes from unity within each country… it comes from African integration. Then who is leading this? Is the person a convinced person or anafanya kibarua tu (he’s just about career).”
Then he went into a ‘lecture’ which he would later apologise for digressing.
“You see people are just doing things, protocol you go to Addis Ababa, French…the whole day you go to sleep, there’s no conviction,” he said in reference to class of leaders who seek leadership positions for the sake of advancing their careers.
Museveni said he’s supporting Raila’s bid for the AU job “because he is fit for this job” and urged the Azimio leader to foster unity in the continent because “you need them.”
“You love Kenya, you love Uganda, you love Tanzania. Why? Because you need them,” he said.
“There’s nobody who can defeat Africa if we mobilise ourselves,” Museveni added.
He seemed dedicated to advancing the discussion on Pan-Africanism but eventually realized he had strayed from the main agenda of the day.
“So therefore,” he said then paused, as if to read the room. “Sorry to divert you, you are the ones who invited me,” he said as he gestured to the audience which burst into laughter.
“If you don’t want to hear my stories don’t invite me,” he added to yet another round of rapture in the hall.
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“So therefore,” he continued, “Raila, historically speaking, has been on the side of patriotism within Kenya here because you remember our things here. Majimboism versus KANU,” he said.
Raila Odinga, a prominent advocate for multiparty democracy during the Kanu era in the 1990s, is widely regarded as the father of Kenyan democracy. He is now vying to succeed Moussa Faki of Chad, whose term ends early next year.
In the February 2025 elections, Raila will compete against Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Youssouf, Mauritius’ Anil Gayan, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
Raila has already secured support from 20 countries. To win the AUC chairmanship in the first round, a candidate needs 34 votes.
