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Businesswoman-cum politician Millicent Omanga has heaped praises on Kenya’s candidate for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship contest Raila Odinga, a day after President William Ruto officially launched his bid.

Omanga on Raila’s candidature

Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Omanga stated that the country has given out its best striker in the contest.

The former nominated senator and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ally further expressed her confidence in Raila, indicating that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader would occupy the AUC office domiciled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Kenya has given its best striker in the contest for the AUC championship. Addis Ababa, here we come!” Omanga stated.

Kenya has given its best striker in the contest for the AUC championship. Addis Ababa, here we come! @RailaOdinga @WilliamsRuto pic.twitter.com/TNv0UKNb3u

— Hon Millicent Omanga (@MillicentOmanga) August 28, 2024

President Ruto on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, officially launched Raila’s bid at a State House event that was attended by three East African Heads of State, who included Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, Uganda’s Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and South Sudan’s Salva Kiir.

Representatives from Rwanda and Burundi also attended the event.

Raila’s AUC competitors

In the AUC elections set for February next year, Raila will square it out with Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato, Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Anil Kumarsingh Gayan.

The winner of the contest will succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat from Chad, whose term comes to an end.

Raila’s commitment

Raila said if elected to office, his vision will be to unite the continent so that it can speak in one voice against the challenges it is facing.

He vowed to utilise the transition period to critically analyse the existing proposals for reforms and building capacity of the commission and follow up on the implementation of the reports so far formulated.

“I envisage an Africa where our visionary sloganeering will translate into strategic action for the transformation of our continent. I plan to work with you, Your Excellencies, and make the AU more people-centred and serve the interests of the vast voiceless majority of Africans,” Raila assured during the official launch of his bid at State House, Nairobi.

Raila also emphasized that the Head of Governments must join him in integrating the continent to wade off its enemies who are hell-bent on sowing seeds of disunity among Africans.

He also called on governments to abolish non-tariff barriers which have been imposed by other African countries against goods from neighbouring countries to address the constraints that are hurting the inter-Africa trade