Raila taps European envoys in campaign for AU chair post

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has stepped up his campaign to clinch the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, engaging various envoys this week to spell out his agenda.

Raila who will now battle it out with former Mauritanian Foreign Minister Anil Kumarsingh, his Madagascar counterpart former Foreign Minister James Randriamandrato and Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssou is keen on getting back up from a foreign mission in his bid.

“Had a fruitful discussion with European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, on necessary AU reforms, boosting intra-Africa trade, climate action, and investing in education and infrastructure. We agreed on the need for a united and integrated Africa, inspired by the EU model,” said Raila in his X account.

The former Premier and the EU envoy’s discussions touched on required reforms to the African Union, addressing barriers to intra-Africa trade and continental integration, climate change, investments in education and infrastructure. According to Raila, the required partnerships with the EU will make the African Union an effective executor of the dreams and aspirations of African people and their global counterparts.

“We agreed on the need for better integrated continent inspired by the EU model,” said Raila.

On Tuesday, Raila met with Germany’s Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth and the British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan where they discussed the recent developments in the country and his AU Commission candidacy.

“We all agree: a strong and stable Africa benefits us all. Grateful for Germany and the UK’s continued commitment to engagement,” said Raila.

On his part the German envoy said that they talked about Kenyan politics, Raila’s Pan-African vision and his student years in Germany. “Had the pleasure to meet Raila Odinga. We talked about Kenyan politics. Very impressed by his German language skills,” said Groth in his X account.

Last week, Raila had a productive conversation with African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)’s Civilian Chief of Staff Kojo Brew Acquaisie and Kenya’s Deputy Head of Mission in Berlin Ambassador Valerie Rugene. “We are excited about the potential for positive change on the African continent and enhanced collaboration,” Raila had said.

Political blogger Pauline Njoroge in throwing her support behind Raila reminded Kenyans that politics stops at the water’s edge, and when a Kenyan is out there they share the Kenyan flag.

“I am strongly convinced that when it comes to Kenyans who have been nominated for regional and international positions, our support for them should not be based on their political affiliations. Out there, no one cares if they are Jubilee, UDA, ODM, Wiper, and PNU. People refer to them as Kenya’s candidates. We must therefore always remember that politics stops at the water’s edge, and when we are out there, we share the flag. I am proudly team Kenya, therefore proudly team Raila Odinga,” said Njoroge on her X account.

Raila submitted his documents for nomination through Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei, which paved for him to represent East Africa in the February 2025 polls.

Based on the principle of inter-regional rotation, it is the turn of the Eastern region to submit candidates for the role of Chairperson. Since the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 and its mutation to AU, no Kenyan has ever served as the Secretary-General or Chairperson.

While Kenya seeks the support of all AU member States and remains committed to continue playing its role at the regional, continental and multilateral levels in the pursuit of Africa’s priorities and aspirations, Kenya is a member in good standing within the AU and consistently meets its obligations to the Union.

In addition, Kenya is an exemplar of African solutions to African problems through its financial support to AU’s initiatives, and leading role in peace, security and conflict management in the continent including in mediation efforts.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in a statement after the submission of Raila’s credentials charged that at no time in the history of the African Union has the continent needed a more visionary leader, an accomplished statesman and a quintessential Pan-Africanist.

“Kenya’s candidature comes at a critical moment in history. Despite the milestones achieved so far in the continent, Africa continues to experience economic distress, environmental challenges, conflicts, terrorism, and general social discord, exacerbated by geopolitical competition,” said Mudavadi.