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Yesterday marked the official start of ODM leader Raila Odinga’s campaign for the chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), with elections for that role scheduled for February 2025.

Presence of leading lights from the East African Community (EAC) and representatives of other African countries marks a significant indication of the support the Kenyan candidate has received.

That EAC chairman and South Sudan President Salva Kiir, Tanzanian’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda’s state minister for foreign affairs James Kabarebe, Burundi’s Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca and former presidents Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) and Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) found room in their schedules to attend the event was a big statement in Raila’s favour.

The occasion also signalled the exit of Raila – who has straddled Kenya’s politics for more almost four decades – from local politics to concentrate on the campaign for the lofty continental position.

Raila’s candidacy for the AUC chairmanship comes at a time Africa is at a crossroads, with several challenges, from political instability and economic underdevelopment to infrastructure deficits and climate change.

His transition from local to continental politics is an important moment in his illustrious political career that started in the early 1980s.

Borrowing Raila’s own statement from yesterday, his selection as Kenya’s candidate “is not about one man’s ambition but an African’s journey to serve his motherland”.

The continent stands to benefit immensely from Raila’s extensive political experience and leadership, Pan-African vision and commitment, and proven track record in mediation and conflict resolution.

Raila has expressed his desire for closer African unity, integration and trade; advocacy for democracy, human rights and good governance; and strong leadership and vision for Africa’s future.

Over the years, Kenya has unsuccessfully fronted a few local leaders, including former Foreign Affairs Cabinet secretary Amina Mohamed.

About seven years ago, Mohamed’s bid for the AUC position now held by Moussa Faki Mahamat flopped after Kenya failed to convince even some of its closest allies in East Africa to vote for her. That was a lesson well learnt.

Mahamat was seen as an AU insider, having worked in the continental body’s peace and security agency, and there were francophone-anglophone tensions. This time around, all stops must be pulled to ensure victory.