- Bolstered by the support of President William Ruto, Odinga outlines his vision for Africa—a continent united, resilient, and thriving.
- Kenya has established a secretariat to facilitate Odinga’s AU Commission Chairmanship campaign.
- Odinga’s bid launch attracted presidents Yoweri Museveni, Salva Kiir, Samia Suluhu, and former presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a forum graced by Heads of States and senior Government officials from across Africa, Kenya’s Raila Amolo Odinga has officially launched his bid for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Bolstered by the support of Kenyan President William Ruto, Odinga outlined his vision for Africa—a continent united, resilient, and thriving.
In the current contest, the role of the AUC Chairmanship is reserved for a candidate from the East African region to replace Moussa Faki, a career politician from Chad who has served since 2017. Recently, the African Union issued a statement listing the four competing candidates as Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Raila Odinga of Kenya, Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar, and Anil Gayan of Mauritius.
Raila Odinga carves image of a visionary Pan-African leader
Odinga noted that his bid for the AUC Chairmanship to replace Chadian Moussa Faki is not just a personal ambition but a reflection of his deep-rooted commitment to the African continent. Having played several roles in Kenya’s political scene and across Africa, Odinga said he brings a wealth of experience and a profound understanding of the inherent challenges and opportunities millions across the continent.
In his speech, he highlighted the importance of moving beyond mere slogans such as “African Renaissance” and “Africa Rising” to implementing strategic actions that will truly transform Africa. He argued that his candidacy represents a call for a more people-centered AU, one that strives to directly impact the lives of ordinary Africans.
The support of Kenya and Eastern Africa
Kenya’s President William Ruto played a crucial role in endorsing Odinga’s candidacy, underscoring the significance of regional solidarity in this bid. Ruto’s speech highlighted the collective determination of Eastern Africa to offer leadership that addresses the complex challenges facing the continent, such as political instability, climate change, and governance issues.
By nominating Odinga, Ruto noted that Kenya is not only advocating for a leader with a proven track record of transformative leadership but also for a visionary who understands the intricacies of both national and continental governance.
To buttress Odinga’s candidacy in the months ahead, Ruto announced the establishment of a secretariat to facilitate Odinga’s campaign, led by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and Ambassador Elkana Odembo.
This move reflects Kenya’s commitment to rallying support across the African Union’s diverse regions, ensuring that Odinga’s bid is grounded in a broad-based continental coalition.
Odinga explained that his vision for Africa is one of unity—an Africa where borders and colonial legacies no longer divide its people. He envisions a continent where the AU is not just a distant institution but a body that the African people feel in their daily lives.
“We are one people who unfortunately are trying too hard to separate from each other,” Odinga remarked, highlighting the artificial divisions that have long hindered African unity.
His experience traveling across Africa has shown him the potential that lies within the continent’s youth—a generation unburdened by the divisions of the past and eager to embrace a future of collective growth. Odinga’s bid for the AU chairmanship, he added, seeks to create a future where Africans are united not just by geography but by a shared destiny.
Odinga’s launch at State House Nairobi saw the backing of Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, and former presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria as well as prime ministers and other delegates from the continent.
“Raila Odinga is a statesman and we have full confidence in him to steer the continent,” Museveni said. Tanzania’s Suluhu added that Raila’s track record is unmatched and that is why Tanzania endorsed him, stating, “Baba anatosha achaguliwe (Raila is capable let him be elected,” she said.
Obasanjo, described Odinga as the best candidate for the AUC chairmanship. “Raila makes Africa proud, peaceful, and prosperous. He is the best the African Union Commission can have.”
Addressing Africa’s challenges
Odinga’s speech did not shy away from the numerous challenges facing Africa today. From identity conflicts and wars to poverty, hunger, and the impacts of climate change, the continent’s vulnerabilities are manifold.
However, Odinga sees these challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities for strategic leadership and collective action. He noted that there is urgent need for the AU to be more people-centered, focusing on the needs of the “vast voiceless majority” of Africans.
One of his key proposals is to critically analyze and implement existing reform proposals within the AU Commission. This approach, he argued, reflects his pragmatic understanding that while Africa’s story is not one of “gloom and doom,” there is still much work to be done to ensure that the continent’s upward trajectory continues.
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A transformative agenda for the AU
In line with President Ruto’s remarks, Odinga said that his candidacy is anchored in the need for a transformative agenda for the AU. The African Union must evolve to effectively coordinate and drive continental agendas, particularly in light of the ambitious goals set forth in Agenda 2063, the former Prime Minister [2008-2013] under the late President Kibaki said.
He noted that his vision aligns with the need to recalibrate Africa’s institutions to fully harness the continent’s potential, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, peace and security, and economic growth.
On reforms, he noted that he is not just seeking restructuring of the AU but about making it more responsive to the needs of the African people. He championed for a “Cabinet of the Chairperson” with a continental outlook to underscore his intention to lead the AU with a focus on inclusivity and broad-based representation.
Rallying support across Africa
Already, Odinga’s bid for the AU chairmanship has received the backing of leaders from various regions across the continent. His speech highlighted the involvement of “friends and eminent persons” from West, North, South, Central, and Eastern Africa in his campaign, creating a picture of widespread appeal of his candidacy. To secure the post, such broad-based support will be crucial.
Further, Odinga called for East Africans to “walk this journey together” and head to Addis Ababa as a united team in February 2025. His candidacy, he said, is not just about one man seeking office; but about rallying the continent behind a shared vision of unity, progress, and transformation.
With the backing of Kenya and a broad coalition of supporters across Africa, Odinga stands a chance to serve the African people, bringing with him a wealth of experience, a commitment to the continent, and a vision for a brighter future. As he so aptly put it, “I am ready to serve; my heart is ready, my hands are steady.”
