Principal Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Korir Sing’oei has said Raila Odinga was the best candidate the Kenyan people chose for the African Union Commission (AUC).

Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday, November 8, 2024, Sing’oei noted that his interaction with Raila started back in the early 2000s and that the leader had displayed exceptional transformative agendas in various capacities.

“There was no better name to present than the name of Raila Odinga. The entire East African Community (EAC) has come behind his candidature,” Sing’oei stated.

The PS also reminisced when Raila came to speak about a raging war in Sudan’s Darfur region at his request.

“The Darfur war was raging. We as young lawyers were wondering why Africa could not speak to this predicament. We asked ourselves who in the Kenyan parliament could speak to this issue and one name came up in 2005- the name Raila Odinga,” Sing’oei narrated.

Adding: “I was tasked to approach him. He opened his doors to us, he listened to us and spoke to that issue – a man who listens to young people.”

Mudavadi’s statement

On his part, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi indicated that Raila Odinga was the Kenyan people’s choice for the AU top job, noting that he had the blessing of President William Ruto and the entire government.

“In Raila Odinga, we have a compact and complete leadership package that is founded on teamwork, boldness, decision-making, Pan-Africanism and responsive to the collective and unique aspirations of each member state of the African Union,” Mudavadi said.

Adding: “The president, the government and the people of Kenya present to you wholeheartedly one of our most celebrated sons to be the next chairperson of the African Union Commission.”

Countries in support

During his unveiling in Nairobi on August 27, 2024, Ruto said that seven countries in the continent had pledged their support for Raila Odinga’s candidacy.

“We believe that offering a highly qualified, experienced and competent candidate to lead the AU Commission is perfectly consistent with our commitment to the transformation of our continent through our institutions of Pan-African Unity,” Ruto said.

To ascend to the coveted continental seat, Raila will need 66 per cent of the votes which is equivalent to 32 countries voting in his favour.

 The other candidates Raila is set to battle it out with include Mohamoud Youssouf of Djibouti, Anil Gayan of Mauritius and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.