Kenyans were on Friday gripped by anxiety as one of the country’s key political leaders faced a tough election at the African Union.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will Saturday know his fate after months of a gruelling continental campaign to become the next AU Commission chairperson.
Raila’s candidature has enthralled the country as the poll outcome will have direct implications on the 2027 presidential contest.
The ODM leader faces Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato.
With the clock ticking to the final vote, the country is gripped by both optimism and nervous anticipation reminiscent of the tense environment that always characterises general elections.
Across the various media platforms including social media, towns and villages, the AUC topic is rife.
Some organisations have also sponsored big screens across Nairobi that will live-stream the event.
A lobby group calling itself ‘Baba For AUC’ has invited all Nairobians to a public watch party at Sunken car park, Agha Khan Walk, to follow the proceedings.
The Star was told similar arrangements were being rolled out across cities and major towns, especially in Raila’s support bases.
Apart from the big screens, huge delegations including elected leaders and ordinary Kenyans travelled to Addis Ababa in solidarity with the veteran politician.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday confirmed a big number of Kenyans had crossed the borders to Addis Ababa to stand with the Nairobi candidate.
“I want to say the level of anxiety is very high. There are so many Kenyans who, out of their own pocket and their own commitment, have come to Addis Ababa,” Mudavadi, who is also the country’s Foreign Affairs minister, told journalists in Ethiopia.
The Star on Monday exclusively reported that at least 100 MPs and top government officials were flying to Addis Ababa in solidarity with Raila.
In the four Luo Nyanza counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay which are Raila’s stronghold, the tension was even more pronounced with governors, MCAs travelling to Addis Ababa two days to the vote.
Sources told the Star the four county assemblies were virtually empty and could not conduct business from Wednesday as most of the MCAs were either en route or had landed in Ethiopia.
Even as Kenyans remain anxious about the AUC championship elections, already there are mixed signals that may change the course of the tight race at the last minute.
On Thursday, the influential Southern African Development Community bloc instructed its 16 member states to support former Madagascar Foreign Affairs minister Richard Randriamandrato.
The development, though dismissed by international relations experts, could injure Raila’s chances given that he is banking a number of the membership to tilt the race in his favour.
SADC members include Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho and Madagascar.
Others are Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, and Zambia.
Raila has also received last-minute support from a number of countries including Rwandan President Paul Kagame who reiterated his backing for the Kenyan candidate.
In an interview with NTV, Kagame highlighting Raila’s tenure as AUC High Representative for Infrastructure said he will vote for the veteran opposition chief.
“Raila was here the other day and his delegation. I respect Raila Odinga, I know his struggles,” Kagame said in the video that has gone viral.
“Around the same time, I was AU chairman, that is 2018, he was representing the commission on the infrastructure of the continent. He did a good job. In the en,d it will be a secret ballot but I told him I will support him.”
From Thursday, the former Prime Minister and his team were actively engaged in a series of last-minute appeals to heads of state and government who had arrived in Addis Ababa.
Analysts are in consensus that last-minute negotiations could shift the tide in any direction.
Back at home, leaders from across the political divide continued to express their support for Raila ahead of the crucial vote.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka publicly affirmed his support for Raila’s candidacy.
In a statement, Kalonzo praised Raila’s resilience in championing democracy despite numerous attempts to silence him.
He described him as the most consequential statesman of "our times."
“Raila’s vision for our beloved continent resonates with Africans both at home and abroad,’’ Kalonzo said.
“As a son of Kenya and an internationally respected advocate for Africa’s well-being, I fully support Raila’s bid for the AUC presidency and wish him all the best.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also endorsed Raila, stating that he is undoubtedly the best candidate for the AUC chairmanship.
“Africa deserves the best. There is no doubt about Raila’s worldview and his commitment to championing the interests of African people,’’ Gachagua wrote on X.
“As a continent, we need a leader like Raila Odinga to bridge the gap between Anglophone and Francophone Africa and to guide us toward a united and prosperous future.”
National Assembly Speaker and Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula also expressed his support, emphasising the significance of Saturday’s AUC election in shaping Africa’s future.
“I, alongside the National Assembly of Kenya, extend our best wishes to Rt Hon Raila Odinga in his bid for the chairperson of the African Union Commission.’’
He lauded Raila’s unwavering commitment to Pan-Africanism, good governance, and regional integration, describing him as a formidable leader for the role.
“May his vision, experience, and dedication to Africa’s progress steer the continent toward greater unity and prosperity,’’ he added
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Raila's candidacy is a big test for Ruto both locally and regionally.
A win would cement Ruto's rising credentials in the continent as a trusted comrade who can rally the continent behind his candidate.
Locally, a win will be a major boost to Ruto's re-election bid as he will automatically inherit the former premier’s bases which account for over five million votes.
