Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has expressed best wishes to Kenya’s candidate for the position of African Union Commission chairman (AUC) Raila Odinga.
The elections are taking place at the Nelson Mandela Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Heads of state and government have retreated to a closed door session for the first round of voting to elect the AUC chairperson and his deputy.
“Best wishes to our country’s candidate for the post of the African Union Commission Chairman, the Rt Hon Raila Odinga,” Kindiki said.
Communication from the AU headquarters said the heads of state and government at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly will vote in a closed door session via secret ballot.
Saturday’s election will see ballots cast to pick the best two candidates who will then go dead-to-head in second round of voting on Sunday for the chairmanship.
Raila is vying for the position against Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
Youssouf is widely seen as Raila’s main challenger in the election.
The three are in a race to succeed outgoing AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad.
The winner is required to garner two-thirds support, equivalent to 33 votes.
Raila has attained a huge support from home, with at least 100 MPs accompanying President William Ruto and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi to Addis Ababa.
Other political leaders, including governors from across the political divide, are also present.
Earlier in the week, Kindiki said National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah will be Raila’s chief agent during the Saturday vote, demonstrating the bipartisan approach the country has taken in the AUC campaign.
“I was President William Ruto’s chief agent for seven days and I slept there (The Bomas) and Ichug’wah will be Raila’s,” Kindiki said.
After Sunday's second round of voting, if no candidate garners the requisite two-thirds support, voting will go into third round until the two thirds simple majority is achieved.
