Presidents William Ruto, Yoweri Museveni and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the Piny Luo Culture Festival in Siaya County on January 2, 2025/ PCS
President William Ruto has emphasised that Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship candidacy goes beyond Kenya and is a nomination for the entire East African region.
Ruto affirmed that the endorsement is not merely a political gesture but a crucial step towards enhancing unity, peace, and prosperity across Africa.
“This festival confirms to us that our quest as a region to put forward Raila Odinga for the AUC chairmanship is the correct thing to do. Raila is not just a candidate for Kenya, he is a candidate for East Africa,” he said, drawing attention to the broad regional support for the ODM leader's candidacy.
Ruto revealed that before publicly supporting Raila, the leaders of East Africa, including Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, were consulted.
He stated that Raila was the right candidate with the necessary credentials to lead the African Union.
The President highlighted that Raila’s extensive experience as a pan-African leader, his unifying vision, and his proven leadership made him the ideal choice to steer the African Union towards greater success.
Ruto expressed confidence that Raila’s leadership would contribute to resolving conflicts, fostering peace, and promoting trade and investment across Africa, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We are confident that Raila’s successful bid will see the fortunes of our continent change for the better,” Ruto added, underscoring the transformative impact that Raila could have on the continent.
Raila’s candidacy was further championed by Ugandan President Museveni, who referred to him as a unifying figure, likening him to John the Baptist, who mobilizes and preaches solutions.
“Raila can do a lot of work and think of solutions. But the real power is with us here, in the governments,” Museveni said.
He reinforced the collective support behind Raila’s bid for the AUC chairmanship.
Raila is facing off with Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar) for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
The four seek to succeed the outgoing chairman Moussa Faki of Chad. The elections are scheduled for February.
