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Kenya’s candidate in the upcoming African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship elections Raila Odinga on Monday, January 13, 2025, flew to Harare, Zimbabwe to meet the country’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Raila’s visit to Zimbabwe comes nine months after President William Ruto secured President Mnangagwa’s support for the former prime minister’s AUC chairmanship bid.

Raila in a statement shared via his official X account said that he had shared with the Zimbabwean president his vision for Africa on top of discussing his candidature for the AUC chairmanship.

“We landed in Harare, Zimbabwe today to a warm reception courtesy of H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa It’s been a pleasure sharing with the president my vision for Africa and discussing my candidature for the AUC Chairmanship,” Raila wrote on X.

We landed in Harare, Zimbabwe today to a warm reception courtesy of H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa

It's been a pleasure sharing with the president my vision for Africa and discussing my candidature for the AUC Chairmanship pic.twitter.com/q15ODaJylN

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) January 13, 2025

The AUC elections will take place in February 2025 during the African Union Summit.

Ruto secures Zimbabwe support

President William Ruto in April 2024 secured Zimbabwe’s support for Raila’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.

Ruto secured Zimbabwe’s support in the wake of a unanimous decision by the African Union Executive Council, on March 15, 2024, that the Eastern Africa region submit candidates for the AU Chairperson.

President Ruto said Kenya candidature is informed by the role that the country plays in enhancing the Pan – African Agenda.

“I am assured that Kenya and Zimbabwe will persist in conferring and backing each other on multitude issues of bilateral, regional and continental significance alongside the African Union
Agenda 2063,” President Ruto said.

He made the remarks at the Bulawayo State House, Zimbabwe, during bilateral talks with his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa.

During the bilateral meeting, Kenya and Zimbabwe signed nine MoUs in the fields of transport, infrastructure, health, education, defense, trade and investments among other areas.

President Mnagangwa emphasized on the need for investors to exploit existing opportunities in the two countries.

Ruto on Raila’s candidature

Early this month, President Ruto said Raila’s candidature for the African Union Commission chairperson continues to receive tremendous support owing to his proven track record as a pan-Africanist.

He expressed confidence that Raila’s leadership will foster peace across the continent, effectively manage conflicts and unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

“We are very confident that the successful bid of Hon Raila is going to see the fortunes of our continent change for the better going into the future,” he said.

The President made the remarks during the 4th edition of the Piny Luo Cultural Festival in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday January 2, 2025.