- Kenya formally submitted Raila Odinga's bid for African Union Chairmanship seat in July.
- Raila Odinga arrived at State House around 10:20 am.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto on Tuesday launched Raila Odinga's African Union Commission chairmanship campaign at State House, Nairobi.
Some of the leaders who were present include Presidents Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan) and the Prime Minister of Burundi, Gervais Ndirakobuca
Former Presidents Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) and Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) were also present.
Rwanda's Paul Kagame was represented by his Foreign Affairs Minister, General James Kabarebe.
Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki of Chad, whose term comes to an end early next year.
Kenya's AUC chairperson candidate is facing competition from Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
The country formally submitted Raila's bid for the Africa Union Chairman seat in July.
Raila arriving at State House
Raila Odinga arrived at State House around 10:20 am.
He arrived in a convoy of vehicles.
Raila, who was accompanied by his wife Ida Odinga, was received by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
They later posed for a photo before being ushered into a holding room.
Why I am vying for AUC chairperson seat (What Raila said).
"I am greatly honoured and want to thank all of you for your solidarity with Kenya, as demonstrated by your presence.
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.
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."
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Musalia Mudavadi on why Raila is fit for the position
The Prime Cabinet Secretary outlined why Raila is the best candidate for the African Union Commission chairperson seat.
Mudavadi said his candidature is rooted in the belief that Africa’s progress must be driven by its people for its people.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday outlined why Opposition chief Raila Odinga is the best candidate for the African Union Commission chairperson seat.
Image: FAITH MATETE
He described Raila as a man who holds to the dreams of the millions of Africans who yearn for an integrated and peaceful continent.
“Raila embodies the ideals of a people-centred visionary leadership that AUC needs. He is a leader who has tirelessly championed the cause of African unity and progress and unwavering espousing the principle of thinking Africa above all,” he said.
Gachagua on his relationship with Raila
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua denied the existence of personal disagreements between him and Kenya's AUC chairperson candidate Raila Odinga.
Gachagua said past conflicts arose because Raila was pursuing the same position as his boss, President Ruto.
Gachagua and Raila have in the past had a strained relationship that saw the two exchange words.
However, the DP on Tuesday emphasized the differences were based on political competition and not personal.
Gachagua on Raila's pillar Mama Ida
Gachagua acknowledged that Mama Ida Odinga has been a person that her husband (Raila) can lean on all the time.
He acknowledged the place of family in leadership, noting that Mama Ida has so far played a great role in Raila Odinga's life.
"Mama Ida Odinga, we salute you as a country for having been a very strong pillar to your husband. In very difficult times and his lowest moments you have always been there for him," he said.
Gachagua asked spouses to support each other.
Image: PCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that Kenya is presenting Raila Odinga for the African Union Commission chairmanship because the continent deserves the best.
Image: PCS
He wished Ida a happy birthday, expressing confidence that her next will be celebrated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
DP on why Kenya is presenting Raila
Gachagua said that Kenya is presenting Raila for the African Union Commission chairmanship because the continent deserves the best.
He insisted that Raila is the finest person to lead Africa at the AU.
The Deputy President said that Raila's passion for Pan-Africanism is unmatched.
President Ruto praises Raila
President William Ruto decorated Raila as a distinguished statesman and a true Pan-Africanist.
"He has a sterling reputation as a zealous Pan-African who has consistently demonstrated a strong faith in Africa's possibilities," Ruto said.
Drumming up support for his election, Ruto explained to the leaders present that not only will Kenya stand to benefit under his leadership but also the continent at large.
According to him, Raila’s longevity in leadership has been sustained by an “unrelenting devotion to democratic change” as the foundation of sustainable freedom and prosperity.
He noted that it is through this that Kenya has benefited from progress both in the national governance as well as the evolution of sectors attributable to reforms championed by Raila and other visionary leaders.
The secretariat that will lead Raila's AUC campaigns unveiled
Ruto announced the secretariat that will spearhead Raila's campaigns for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Ruto said the Secretariat will be led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singóei and former Kenyan Ambassador to the United States, Elkanah Odembo.
The secretariat will consist of members from all five regions in Africa.
Obasanjo makes fun of his height
Guests at State House were treated to a light moment by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
It began when Obasanjo was called to the podium by President Ruto to address the diplomats.
As he was walking to the podium, Ruto signaled a man who brought a step board for Obasanjo, with the assumption that he was too short to reach the microphone.
However, when Obasanjo got there, he tried pushing the board with his leg and when he could not, he bent over to push it with his hand.
The State House meeting during the unveiling of Raila Odinga as Africa Union Commission chairperson candidate was treated to a light moment by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
This elicited laughter from President Ruto and the congregation.
After clearing his throat, an undeterred Obasanjo said, "I am not as short as you think I am".
Museveni takes on Babu Owino
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni called out Embakasi East MP Babu Owino over his support for his political opponents.
Museveni said that some individuals in Raila’s camp thought didn't know what they were doing in Uganda.
The remarks followed some silence before he went on to elaborate, saying that in the intelligent reports he receives, Babu's name always appears.
He claimed that Babu's appearance on the reports was over his support for anti-NRM movements.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is Uganda’s ruling party, led by Museveni.
He went on to say that despite knowing this, he has never accused Babu of it, until today.
Museveni on rejecting Djibouti's candidate
Museveni recalled the visit from Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Youssouf, saying he did not endorse him for the African Union chairperson job.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has recalled the visit from Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf saying he did not endorse him for the African Union chairperson job.
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Youssouf paid a courtesy call to Museveni seeking his support in his bid as the Africa Union Commission chairman.
Museveni said he had made it clear that he would be supporting the Kenyan candidate.
Museveni comical speech
Museveni threw guests into stitches while delivering.
He started his speech in his characteristic nonchalant style and somewhat turned to ‘lecturing’ fellow heads of state during the event at State House, Nairobi, on Pan Africanism and why the continent would be an invincible outfit if its leaders unite.
He said Raila is the best fit for the AU job because he’s not vying to advance his career but rather because he is a true leader and a point man who will lead Africa into economic prosperity.
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Raila launches website to promote AUC bid
Raila officially unveiled a website to support his Africa Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.
The page is accessible at https://www.railaodinga4auc.com/ and is titled Candidate of the Republic of Kenya for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.