AUC chairmanship candidate Raila Odinga holds up a bible during a special prayer ahead of elections this week at Bomas Of Kenya on February 10, 2025. /DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said he will accept the outcome of the African Union Commission chairperson elections scheduled for Saturday.
Raila is vying for the AUC chairmanship, with the election set to take place on Saturday, February 15, during the ordinary session of the Heads of State meeting in Addis Ababa.
Speaking at Bomas of Kenya on Monday where he addressed ODM leaders and women enthusiasts, Raila said he would graciously return home if he does not win the election.
"In God's grace, I know I shall win, if we go through we shall be winners and if we lose we shall still be winners,'' Raila told his supporters.
Women affiliated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had gathered at Bomas for a special prayer session ahead of the AUC elections.
The event attended by clergy, top ODM officials and other guests, was held to seek divine intervention for Raila’s victory before he departs for Addis Ababa.
"The elections will be held next Saturday. If I win, that’s okay; if not, that’s also fine—I will come back home," Raila told his supporters.
"I'm very grateful for your prayers,'' Raila told the Bomas meeting saying he is ready for the job.
As the tenure of incumbent AUC chair Moussa Faki nears its end, Raila is banking on support from African leaders to secure the position.
On Monday, he revealed that several African leaders had encouraged him to vie for the post, believing he could help address the continent’s challenges.
"They told me that the problems facing Kenya are similar to those in many African countries."
Raila is widely seen as the frontrunner but faces stiff competition from Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
Last week, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki expressed confidence in Raila’s victory, adding that President William Ruto is one of his biggest campaigners.
"After the elections, Ruto and Raila agreed that Kenya should field a candidate for the AUC elections. And because they have been friends for a long time, dating back to Ruto’s days in ODM, they decided that Raila should be Kenya’s candidate," Kindiki said.
