- Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki of Chad whose second term comes to an end.
- The election will held in early 2025.
Image: RAILA ODINGA / X
Azimio leader Raila Odinga has thanked leaders who have come out to back him in his African Union Commission chairmanship bid.
This is after heads of state and leaders officially endorsed his bid at State House on Tuesday.
The former Prime Minister thanked them for their support and encouragement.
In a statement on X, Raila thanked Presidents William Ruto, Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi).
Others are Tanzania's former President Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
"I am grateful for Presidents Ruto, Museveni, Suluhu, Kiir, Kagame, Ndayishimiye, Kikwete, and Obasanjo's support, encouragement and endorsement as we roll out my AUC campaign. Together, we can and will create a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Africa. The journey begins," Raila said.
Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki of Chad whose second term comes to an end. The election will held in early 2025.
Raila is facing competition from Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
"Today, as a candidate for the AUC chairperson, I am personally encouraged and humbled by the collective support from my country and the Eastern Africa region. The official unveiling of my candidacy as Kenya’s nominee for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) is a major impetus and milestone in my bid," Raila said.
"The history of Africa is replete with low and high moments. Africa is widely considered the birthplace of mankind whose political organization was reflected in great Kingdoms across the continent."
Raila pledged to work with all leaders and make the AU more people-centred and serve the interests of the vast voiceless majority of Africans.
He added that the African people should feel the AU in their lives.
"If elected chairman, I propose to utilize the transition period to critically analyze the existing proposals for reforms and building capacity of the AU Commission. The ultimate aim is to follow up on the implementation of the reports so far formulated. Certainly, the story of Africa is not all gloom and doom," he added.
The former Prime Minister said he plans to work with African heads of state to integrate the continent.