Raila takes on continental stage with African Union Chair bid

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, speaking at the event, emphasized the importance of Odinga’s candidacy on a continental scale.

"From today onwards, the candidate will intensify his continental engagements by travelling far and wide to present himself to the leadership of African states," said Mudavadi.

Odinga, a veteran of Kenyan politics, now aims to leave his mark on the African stage. "I don't want Africans to be divided as Anglophones, Francophones, and Lucophones. I want them to be Africaphones," he declared, underscoring his vision for a united Africa.

Having been a prominent figure in numerous political campaigns, Odinga now steps into this new challenge with the full backing of the Kenyan government. "I'm not going to be very active in local politics henceforth, as I continue to focus my attention on the continental campaign," he stated, signaling his commitment to the AU Chairmanship bid.

Odinga's candidacy comes with high expectations. He expressed his surprise at the Kenyan government's support, noting, "I was myself pleasantly surprised that the Kenyan government said they would support me. I was expecting them to say no. I don't know why they said yes."

Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi reinforced the significance of this bid, stating, "This is not about local issues. It would be a first for Kenya."

However, the path to the AU Chair is fraught with challenges. Kenya’s previous bid for the position, led by former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in 2017, was unsuccessful, partly due to the country’s stance on the recognition of the Sahrawi Republic. Additionally, the Israel-Palestine conflict presents another diplomatic hurdle, with Kenya opting for a position of neutrality or strategic ambiguity.

In 2017, Kenya was confident in Amina Mohamed’s chances but faced a rude shock when even neighboring countries did not vote in her favor. The campaign was criticized for being disjointed and led by ministers rather than seasoned diplomats.

This time, Kenya approaches the election with a renewed strategy, as it is the Eastern Region’s turn to Chair the AU Commission. The election is set for February 2025, and before then, a live televised debate will see candidates answer questions from across the continent.

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.

Odinga faces stiff competition from 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.