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National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has convinced the Algerian ambassador to support Raila Odinga’s bid for the post of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

Wetang’ula and Boumediene Mahi, the Algerian representative in the country, met on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 in Nairobi.

“Held talks with Boumediene Mahi, the Algerian Ambassador to Kenya, who called on me in my office at Parliament Buildings.

“With Kenya and Algeria enjoying cordial relations, I took time to lobby support for Kenya’s AUC Chairperson candidate, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, by calling upon the Algerian Ambassador to spread a message of goodwill amongst its allies,” Wetang’ula’s statement said.

Mahi also sought Kenya’s support for their candidate, who is also seeking a continental post.

“Algeria also sought Kenya’s backing for its former envoy to Kenya, Salma Malika Haddadi, who has been nominated for the AUC deputy chairperson position, which is hotly contested,” the former Sirisia Member of Parliament said.

In the meeting, economic and agricultural issues were also discussed.

“During the engagement, we went on to review economic enablers that could be tapped on to spur economic growth and development.

“Boumediene, who also serves as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and UN-HABITAT also suggested sustainable ways of boosting the agriculture sector through mechanisation and utilisation of technology,” Wetang’ula revealed.

Meanwhile, Raila’s AUC race recently received a major boost on Friday, August 9, 2024, after former Somalia’s foreign minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam threw her weight behind the former Kenyan Premier.

Speaking to the press at Odinga’s Capitol Hill office in Nairobi, Fawzia said her decision to step down and support Raila was informed by the closeness shared by the two countries.

“I was a candidate for the AUC; today I have decided to step down and support Raila Odinga in the spirit of Pan-Africanism and for Eastern Africa’s unity. I would like to support his candidacy, and I am very pleased to do it,” Fawzia stated.

She added that Somalia and Kenya are sister countries that should be working together.