Former Nyamira Senator Kennedy Mongare presents his book 'The Last Great Battle? Raila Odinga And AUC Chairmanship' to Raila Odinga in his office on January, 202, 2025./RAILA ODINGA/X
That Raila Odinga's bid to become the next African Union Commission chairperson has been received warmly not only in Kenya but across the borders is not in question going by endorsements received thus far across the continent.
The seasoned opposition politician known for his mobilisation abilities is a clear favourite to win the seat during next month's elections going by an analysis by the Star last week, which indicated that he needs the support of only 12 more countries to clinch the seat.
The winner of the AUC chairperson seat is required to garner support of two-thirds of the 55 countries eligible to vote, translating to 33 African Union member states.
So far, the former Prime Minister has been endorsed by at least 21 countries, making him the front runner in the race to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Back home, support for him to win the contest against Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato continues to grow in leaps and bounds just as on the international front.
So much is the home support that former Nyamira Senator Kennedy Mongare has documented the race in a book titled 'The Last Great Battle? Raila Odinga and AUC Chairmanship'.
On Monday, the former legislator presented copies of the book to the former PM in his office in Nairobi.
"Former Senator Kennedy Mongare of Nyamira county today presented me copies of his book The Last Great Battle? Raila Odinga And AUC Chairmanship," Raila said on his X feed.
Mongare was accompanied by Kilimani Ward MCA Moses Ogeto of the Nairobi County Assembly.
"I thank Hon Mongare for taking his time to put pen to paper and author this book in support of my bid to be the AUC Chairperson," Raila said in his message of appreciation.
The AUC chairmanship elections will be held on February 25 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Among countries that have already agreed to vote for Raila include Mauritius, Togo, Equitorial Guinnea, Gambia, Senegal, DRC, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Others are Burundi, Seychelles, Ghana, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Algeria and the Republic of the Congo (DRC).
However, it's not cast in stone that a pledge is a binding agreement that must translate into a vote in favour of a candidate - countries can change their mind.
Voting is influenced by various geopolitical issues, some that are beyond the continent.
Should he win the seat, the AU job will elevate Raila to a near head of state, a status that has eluded him in five presidential runs.
Apart from massive support of President William Ruto and state machinery he has deployed at his disposal, Raila has also leveraged his old networks in marathon continental campaign to ensure the dream comes true.
