President William Ruto speaks during a High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 15, 2025. /PCSPresident William Ruto has congratulated Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Selma Haddadi following their election as chairperson and deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission respectively.
Kenya's candidate for the chairmanship, Raila Odinga, lost to the Djibouti candidate after six rounds of voting.
Despite the loss, Ruto pledged Kenya's full support to the new AUC leadership.
"To their Excellencies Mahmoud Youssouf and Selma Haddadi, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission, I extend my sincere congratulations. You have the trust of the AU Assembly, and Kenya pledges her full support to you as you steer the Africa Union Commission to the next level," he said in a statement.
Ruto was present during the voting held during the 38th ordinary sesssion of the AU Sunnit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He commended the AU for haveing accorded Raila the opportunity to participate in the race and sell his vision to the entire African continent.
"While the outcome of this election did not favour Kenya’s candidate, I wish to convey my deepest gratitude to the entire leadership of our great continent. Thank you for considering the Right Honourable Raila Odinga ’s vision and priorities for the African Union and for according him the opportunity to share his passion for the continent’s transformation," the President wrote on X
Ruto said despite the contestants having come from different nations and backgrounds, the race was never about an individual, but rather, the collective good of the continent.
"This election was not about individuals or nations, it was about Africa’s future. That future remains bright and, together, we will continue working for a united, prosperous, and influential Africa on the global stage," he said.
Raila was eliminated from the race Saturday after he trailed Djibouti's Mahamoud Ali Youssouf in the fifth and sixth rounds of voting.
Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato was eliminated earlier after trailing in the first, second, third and fourth rounds, leaving Raila and Youssof to face off.
Youssouf was declared winner after garnering the requisite 33 votes in the 7th round of voting, which he contested alone.
In a seperate statement, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the President and Raila and his campaign team gave their best but "unfortunately, we have lost".
"We remain a proud nation that we came so close. Today was not our day, our day will come. Thanks to all the friends of Kenya who stood with us when it mattered," Kindiki said.
