Raila will win the AUC seat - Ruto

President William Ruto addressing the Piny Luo cultural festival on Thursday, January 2, 2024. PCS

President William Ruto has expressed confidence that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will clinch the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat.

Ruto said Raila’s candidature has made “tremendous progress” and received “enormous” support so far.

“Before we rolled out his candidature, we went to Mzee Yoweri Museveni as an elder and spoke with all EAC heads of state and confirmed that we had the right candidate,” he said.

Raila is seeking to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat as African Union Commission chairperson.

He has been receiving delegations from the globe in his office and visiting heads of state as he builds a strong base for the hotly contested race.

Raila will run against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan of Mauritius and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.

The elections will take place in February 2025 during the African Union Summit.

On Thursday, Ruto reiterated that Raila is not a candidate for Kenya but East African Community.

Speaking during the Piny Luo Cultural Festival in Siaya County, Ruto said a successful Raila bid will turn around the fortunes of Africa.

“The celebrations here confirm to us that our quest to put forward the candidature of Raila is the right thing to do,” he stated.

“We are confident that his credentials, which traverse many areas, proven track record as a pan African will be of immense value.”

The President urged the EAC member states to preserve their cultures and traditions.

“As we build on our roots, we must make sure we have a successful nation, which starts with a successful family, successful communities, and successful nation and a progressive region,” he said.

Ruto noted that the government has gazetted two cultural heritage sites in Siaya - Ramogi Hill Forest Reserve and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum.

He said the government is assessing seven sites that have historical, cultural and traditional significance in Siaya to be considered for gazettement.