AUC chairperson candidate Raila Odinga/FILEFormer Prime Minister Raila Odinga has insisted that the
African Union Commission chairmanship is not a must-win for him.
Speaking on Saturday, during the burial of Mzee Richard Oudia in Bondo, Siaya County, Raila said the outcome will only be known once the vote is cast.
He said that while his win would be good for the continent, there is nothing wrong with him losing to his competitors.
He added that should he lose, he will continue to work with the community as he has always done.
“When the vote is cast is when we will know whether I have won or not. If we win, it's okay, and if we don't, there's nothing wrong. If I don’t win, I'll remain here. If I win, it will be good because I will work there and do many things that will help us here
“If I lose, I’ll be here with you, and we will work together as a community,” Raila said.
The former PM’s remarks come even as the campaign period draws to a close.
The election of the next AUC chairperson is set for February. Raila will run against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
Raila has rolled out an aggressive campaign that will see him visit at least 10 countries in southern Africa this month.
The ex-PM hit the ground running early last week, taking his vote-hunting mission to Mauritius, where he bagged the support of the island country.
Raila’s campaign team, led by former Kenya’s ambassador to the US, Elkanah Odembo, is crafting a back-to-back campaign schedule that will see the former Prime Minister camping in the southern part of the continent for the better part of January.
According to the plans shared with the Star, Raila will be seeking an audience with three presidents elected recently to explain his agenda for the continent as well as ask for their support.
The new presidents are Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia), and Duma Boko (Botswana).
