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Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga says he will form a cabinet with a continental outlook if elected the next chairperson for the African Union Commission (AUC).

Speaking during the launch of his campaign in the State House in Nairobi on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Raila promised to unite the African countries in quest for development.

“My selection to be Kenya’s candidate is not about one man’s ambition, but an African’s journey to serve the motherland. Indeed, I plan to constitute my “Cabinet of the Chairperson” with a continental outlook. I am grateful that friends and eminent persons across Africa have volunteered to engage in my campaigns, from West, North, South, Central, and of course Eastern Africa,” he said.

“I am ready to serve, my heart is ready, my hands are steady and with your support, I shall get the opportunity to be of service to Africa, the cradle of mankind. I am made in Eastern Africa for Africa. Kindly buy my vision, the charge is 34 plus votes in the first round. I particularly appeal to fellow East Africans, that we walk this journey together and go to Addis as a team in February 2025.”

Raila has cited challenges facing Africa such as identity conflicts and wars, hunger, poverty, violent extremism, adverse climate change, acute unemployment among youths, transboundary pandemics and infectious diseases such as Mpox, and other threats to human security and dignity.

“The continent has suffered slavery, colonialism, humiliation, repeated aggression, and internal violent conflicts. However, like the legendary phoenix, Africa has risen from the ashes of these historical atrocities to make a full-blown arrival on the global stage. Consequently, we have heard slogans such as ‘African Renaissance’ and ‘Africa Rising’,” he added.

“My plan is to work with you and make the AU more people-centred and serve the interests of the vast voiceless majority of Africans. The African people should feel the AU in their lives.”

Raila on transition period

Raila says he will utilize the transition period to critically analyze the existing proposals for reforms and building capacity of the AU Commission to follow up on the implementation of the reports so far formulated.

“In February, the African Development Bank reported that Africa will account for eleven of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies this year. The continent is set to remain the second-fastest-growing region after Asia. I deeply appreciate your efforts in restoring hope on the Continent, and it is my wish to have a chance to complement your efforts as AUC chairperson,” Raila added.

The former prime minister promised to work with African Presidents to unite the continent, which he says has been living under the division of colonial rule.

“I plan to work with you to integrate this continent. We are one people who, unfortunately, are trying too hard to separate from each other. I have travelled the length and breadth of this beautiful continent, and I have seen the faces of Africa’s future. They are the faces of our children, full of hope and energy, and unbound by the borders of yesterday. I dream of an Africa where those borders and colonial languages no longer divide us,” Raila said.

“From the hills of Kenya to the deserts of the Sahara and Kalahari, from the lakes of the Great Rift to the rainforests of Central Africa, Africans have to be one, its resilience, and hope for a bright future transmitted to our young people.”