Raila: I am grateful to Museveni for endorsing my AUC candidacy

In a post on X, Raila stated that he had accepted an invitation from Museveni for a joint meeting with President William Ruto to discuss the deepening of regional integration within the East African Community.

“Several days ago, I accepted an invitation from President @KagutaMuseveni of Uganda for a joint meeting with President @WilliamRuto today to discuss the deepening of the regional integration within the East African Community,” read Raila's post.

Raila also stated that they also discussed his candidacy for the AU Commission chairman.

“Crucially, at the urging of President Museveni, we also discussed my candidacy for Chairperson of the African Union Commission. I am very grateful to President Museveni for strongly endorsing my candidacy and to President Ruto for fully backing it,” he stated. 

The trio was photographed at President Museveni’s farm in Kisozi, Uganda on Monday.

The former Prime Minister’s bid for the AUC chairmanship has received massive support from leaders from across the political divide.

Several leaders including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale have lauded his bid saying, Odinga has the required qualifications for the job.

“This is the turn for Kenya. And that work we will fully support him because it is not his, it is Kenya's. And he is going to be Kenya's candidate and we shall support him unequivocally and unconditionally and become the chairman of the AUC,” Wetangula said.

Siaya Governor James Orengo has also welcomed Odinga’s contest to vie for the AU chairmanship and stated he has what it takes to lead Africa.