President William Ruto has urged Kisumu residents to pray for Kenya’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship candidate, Raila Odinga, as he traverses West Africa in search of votes.

Addressing a roadside rally in Kondele, Kisumu County, after attending the Fourth Investment Conference of the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network, Ruto acknowledged that he had once helped Raila, who has since returned the favour by helping him in his government.

Ruto on Raila’s campaigns

The Head of State told the Kondele residents that the former Prime Minister has been traversing the continent in search of votes, reminding them to continue praying so that he becomes the leader of Africa.

“Mimi nilisimama hapa Kondele nikasema siku moja nilisaidia Agwambo na safari hii yeye amerudisha mkono amenisaidia mimi. Mimi nawauliza, iko makosa hapo? Nikiongea na nyinyi sasa, si tulikubaliana Agwambo tunaenda kumuombea ili awe kiongozi wa Africa? Juzi alikuwa kule Ivory Coast, jana amekuwa kule Senegal, leo ako kule Nigeria akitafuta kura. Si tutamuombea jamani?” Ruto stated.

Raila in West Africa

Raila has been wooing West Africa for votes ahead of the upcoming February 2025 AUC polls.

The Kenya’s veteran opposition leader revealed on Monday, November 25, 2024, that he had sold his AUC chairmanship candidacy in The Gambia.

Raila also met Togo President Faure Gnassingbe over his AUC candidacy on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

His first meeting in West Africa was held in Benin, where he engaged the country’s Foreign Minister, Olusegun Adjadi Bakari.

On Friday, November 22, 2024, Raila flew to Accra, Ghana, ready to participate in the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) meeting.

Raila, in a statement shared via his official X account on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, revealed that he had also met Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar.

Raila says that he had discussed his AUC chairmanship candidature with President Diomaye, as well as his vision for Africa.

The former Prime Minister further revealed that the Senegalese Head of State had also shared his ideas on how to build a united, peaceful, and prosperous Africa.

“Thank you, H.E. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal @PR_Diomaye for the warm welcome in Dakar. It was an honour discussing with you my candidature for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission and the vision I have for our continent. I was delighted to hear your ideas on how to build a united, peaceful, and prosperous Africa,” Raila stated.