- Raila has gone flat out to activate his old regional networks in his vote-hunting mission for the top continental job.
- Bolstered by the strong backing of President William Ruto and state machinery, some diplomats think Raila has a head start in the race.
Image: HANDOUT
Kenya's candidate for the African Union Commission Chairperson Raila Odinga has held talks with Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville or the Congo is located in Central Africa.
Raila's meeting with President Nguesso came hot on the heels of his aggressive continental campaign to seek endorsements from heads of state for his AUC bid.
The former prime ministers had on Thursday met Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi who backed his AUC candidacy.
In a video shared by Makau Mutua, a high-ranking member of Raila's campaign team, Odinga was seeking the support of Nguesso ahead of the February 2025 poll.
Raila was accompanied by some of Kenya's finest diplomats and scholars.
His entourage included former Kenyan ambassador to the United States Elkanah Odembo and university don Prof Makau Mutua.
"His Excellency President Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo hosted The Rt Hon Raila Odinga to discuss his candidacy for the AUC in a very successful visit. We thank President Nguesso for making the road to the AUC that much smoother,'' wrote Mutua on his X account.
Raila has intensified his campaigns for the top continental job and has been meeting heads of state to lobby their support with most of them in the region having endorsed him.
On Thursday, Raila met the DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss his AUC bid.
"Our conversation centred on the foundational issues of security, development, and climate change—essential for creating lasting prosperity and advancing our shared future," Raila said on X.
He further thanked him for the endorsement to become the next AU chairman.
Raila will run against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan of Mauritius and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
Raila has gone flat out to activate his old regional networks in his vote-hunting mission for the top continental job.
Bolstered by the strong backing of President William Ruto and state machinery, some diplomats think Raila has a head start in the race.
The former Prime Minister, hailed for a long-standing commitment to pan-Africanism, is leveraging his extensive connections to bolster his bid.
The network includes former and serving presidents.