Gen Z wave irrelevant in outcome of AUC chairperson vote, Ambassador Kimani says

Ambassador Kimani believes that the Gen Z wave, which has proven to effect transformative change in Kenya, will be weaker in tilting results for the AU top job since there exists a vast disconnect between the AU leadership and African youth.

"It (Gen Z wave) is absolutely irrelevant to how the vote will turn out and that is part of the problem of the African Union in its inability to connect with young Africans," he said speaking to Citizen TV on Sunday night.

"Reaching out to Gen Z is not going to affect the vote but Gen Z is interested in this election. It gives the appearance of old men speaking for young people."

He however lauded Gen Zs across the continent for showing interest and voicing their opinions in the much-contended race, noting that they may influence the introduction of more youth-inclusive reforms in the AU.

If Mr. Odinga wins, Kimani added, he will have to deal with the bigger task of instituting strong youth engagement policies across the continent to serve over I billion Africans.

"His team needs to look like the continent. His team needs young Africans in it who bring all the technological skills, passion, openness, that he will need to be able to reach out," he said.

Mr. Odinga will be facing off against Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Mauritian Foreign Minister Anil Kumarsingh, and Richard James Randriamandrato, former Foreign Minister of Madagascar. Youssouf is widely seen as his strongest rival.

The ultimate test will come when the Heads of State and Government convene in Addis Ababa to elect the Chair and Deputy Chair by secret ballot, where a two-thirds majority of the 55 member states is required for victory.

The elections to find the next occupant at the AU top job will take place in 2025 as Chad's Moussa Faki, the current chairperson, will exit after his two-term tenure.