Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Kipchumba Murkomen has hailed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a pan-Africanist.

Murkomen spoke on Thursday, December 19, 2024, after accompanying Raila to the Central African Republic during his campaigns for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

“To confront the rising challenges of instability, slow economic growth, climate change, under-developed infrastructure and a fast-shifting geo-political landscape, Africa needs to re-imagine Pan-Africanism for the 21st Century. No one fits the bill better than the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga,” Murkomen stated.

“His international stature, public service resume, commitment to African integration and his recent tenure as the African Union High Representative on Infrastructure Development in Africa qualify him as the best man for the African Union Commission chairmanship. I was honored to join him yesterday in the campaign for the seat in the Central African Republic where we made his case before the president H.E. Faustin-Archange Touadéra in Bangui.”

Raila shared details of his visit to the Central African country on his X account on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

“Thank you, H.E. Faustin-Archange Touadera, @F_AToudera, President of the Central African Republic, for hosting me in Bangui to share my vision for Africa as I continue my campaign for the African Union Commission Chairmanship,” Raila wrote.

The former prime minister has been touring various African countries, engaging directly with heads of state to secure their backing. His efforts come as the race to replace Moussa Faki Mahamat, the current AUC chairperson, enters a critical phase.

Faki, who has served two terms since his appointment in 2017, will vacate the position next year.

Raila’s campaign strategy has included presenting his vision for Africa’s future transformation. On Friday, December 13, 2024, he participated in the Mjadala Afrika debate in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He outlined his agenda for the continent during the televised event, emphasizing key issues such as economic development, regional integration, and peacebuilding.