Kenya formally submits documents for Raila’s AUC bid

Led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, the Kenyan delegation submitted the documentation to the Dean of Eastern Region, Dharmraj Busgeeth and to the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union in Addis Ababa. 

According to Sing’oei, Raila’s priorities at the helm of AU will include; African Integration and Infrastructure Development, Economic Transformation, Enhancing Intra-African Trade, Financial Independence, Gender Equity and Equality, Agricultural Transformation, Climate Action, Peace and Security and Youth Empowerment Agenda for Africa. 

During AU’s 22nd Extraordinary session of the Executive Council held in Addis Ababa on March 15, 2024, the commission settled on February 2025 as the election date for senior leadership. 

“The Eastern region shall submit candidates for the role of Chairperson and the Northern region shall submit candidates for the role of Deputy Chairperson,” it was agreed. 

A candidate for the position of Chairperson is required to submit a resume in the approved AU format together with a short write-up on his/her vision for the position outlining how they intend to address the most pressing issues facing AU and the continent in at least two working languages of the Union.

“Each candidate's vision statement should not be more than one and a half pages. The Commission shall post this on a dedicated webpage on the AU website,” the AU dictates. 

Raila candidacy 

In support of Raila’s candidature, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on June 5, 2024 outlined a comprehensive campaign strategy. 

It includes the establishment of a campaign secretariat by the State Department for Foreign Affairs, outreach programs to AU member states, and preparations for a public debate to be broadcast live to African citizens six months before the election date.

While exuding confidence in Odinga's potential to clinch the seat, Mudavadi asserted that the government will fully throw its weight behind the nation's candidate and will offer any support needed.

"We have no doubt that the candidate will pursue excellence in line with the continent's collective aspirations of the Africa we want in 2063 as framed in the AUC development framework," he said.