Environment, Climate Change and Forestry CS Aden Duale has exuded confidence that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will win the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship race.
Duale cited President William Ruto's unmatched investment in Raila's campaign as the main reason why the former premier will emerge victorious.
According to Duale, Raila's move to reach out to at least 40 Heads of State and government has given him an edge over his competitors.
“The kind of campaign President William Ruto has done for our candidate, this is a very critical office for the people and the government of Kenya, the former Prime Minister is going to win that seat. We have 49 people voting, we know how many are going to vote for him by now. He needs 32 votes to win," Duale said.
“The former Prime Minister has done enough campaigns and visited 40 countries. Nine heads of state were here last week, and all of them confirmed they will vote Raila."
Duale spoke on Sunday in an interview with Citizen TV.
He at the same time took a swipe at critics of Raila's bid saying many of them wish him failure because they bank on him for their re-election.
Duale said many leaders have in the past ridden on Raila's back to get elected whenever he participates in elections adding that they are now afraid of their political future in the event he fails to make it to the ballot in 2027.
“I know there are many people who don’t want Raila Odinga to leave local politics; they always use him as a guinea pig. Without Raila Odinga, there are people whose careers will come to an end.”
The African Union Commission elections for the next chairperson will be conducted on February 15 and 16.
The union said the elections, to be taken in three rounds, will be preceded by the election of the six commissioners on February 12-13.
"The Assembly of Heads of State and Government elects and appoints the chairperson and deputy chairperson during their Session on the 15-16 February 2025," AU said.
Raila Odinga will face off with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato.
The three went head-to-head in a televised TV debate on December 13, 2024, where each used the opportunity to outline their vision of how they would lead the transformation of Africa through the implementation of the AU Mandate and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
