It's Africa’s century, Raila says as Mudavadi smells AUC victory

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi /FILE

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has thanked Heads of State who have endorsed his bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.

Raila, who is Kenya's candidate for the AUC post, will face Djibout's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf during the February 2025 poll.

"It's Africa's Century. Thank you for your support,'' Raila captioned a video highlighting his continental meetings with presidents.

Ahead of next month's poll, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Raila is on the verge of clinching victory.

"In next month's AUC elections Raila is going to win and he will win,'' Mudavadi said on Wednesday.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary spoke in Shinyalu, Busia County during President William Ruto's tour of the Western Kenya region.

Mudavadi spoke in the context of urging the region to support President Ruto because he has aggressively supported Raila's AUC campaigns.

"In the last elections, President Ruto was in a tough competition with our brother Raila Odinga. President Ruto won and he is now supporting Raila to becoming the chairman of AUC,'' Mudavadi said.

Last week, Raila wrapped his back-to-back campaigns in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Raila traversed SADC countries including South Africa, Lesotho Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique as he ramps up his AUC campaigns.

Raila also held talks with Zimbabwe's President  Emmerson Mnangagwa this week as part of his campaigns targeting the crucial SADC block.

Raila has intensified continental campaigns and meetings with heads of state and government in the African Capital.

He is sprinting in the last month of the campaigns, scouring for votes across the continent and leaving no capital to enhance his chances of making history.

Following Raila’s latest forays into Southern Africa’s nations, his secretariat appears to have fewer than 10 endorsements to call the elections.

Youssouf who had in September last year received support from the Arab League of about 27 states has maintained low-key campaign schedules marked with occasional hiatus.