The Kenyan government is poised to officially submit Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the top job at the African Union Commission (AUC). This significant move has been confirmed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, who shared a glimpse of the comprehensive documentation supporting Raila’s bid.
Raila Intensifies Campaigns for AUC Post
Raila Odinga has ramped up his campaigns for the AUC chairperson position, with the Kenyan government orchestrating a series of diplomatic efforts to bolster his chances. The AUC has earmarked August 6 as the deadline for submitting the candidacies of various hopefuls aiming to succeed the current chairperson, Moussa Faki.
Government’s Commitment
PS Korir Sing’oei signaled the government’s readiness by sharing a photo of Raila’s application bundle, captioned “All-Set-Go!” This bundle includes the English version of Raila’s application, with versions in five other languages—Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Kiswahili—also prepared in accordance with AUC nomination rules.
This development dispels weeks of speculation about the government’s commitment to Raila’s bid, following anti-government protests. The announcement came shortly after President William Ruto nominated several of Raila’s allies to the Cabinet, suggesting a possible political agreement between the two leaders.
Race Against Time
Kenya is in a race against time to officially nominate Raila for the AUC post, having missed the initial June 30 deadline due to the protests. To expedite the process, the government recently formed a joint campaign secretariat, merging strategy and campaign teams from both Raila’s camp and the government. This secretariat is based at the Railways Building, which also houses the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi.
Government’s Full Support
President Ruto’s administration has pledged to use all available resources to secure the AUC chairmanship for Raila. Achieving this position would elevate Raila to a status akin to that of a head of state, significantly enhancing his political stature.
In May, the AUC’s Office of the Legal Council issued a communiqué requiring each candidate to submit their curriculum vitae (CV) in six languages. Raila’s application meets this multilingual requirement, showcasing his preparedness for the role.
Political Implications
This bid for the AUC chairperson position comes amidst a backdrop of political maneuvering within Kenya. Raila Odinga has hinted that if efforts to stabilize Kenya politically prove unsuccessful, he may reconsider his bid for the AUC post. Despite these internal dynamics, prominent figures such as former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo have expressed optimism about Raila’s chances, suggesting broad support for his candidacy across the continent.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Kenya’s diplomatic efforts and Raila’s campaign strategies to see if he can secure this prestigious role within the African Union.
