The government yesterday appeared to repay Opposition leader Raila Odinga a political debt when it formally submitted his bid for the position of African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.

The latest developments come only days after Raila marshalled four of his party’s senior-most officials to join President William Ruto’s new look cabinet at a time the government was fighting for its political survival against a deadly onslaught from the Generation Z movement, a typical ‘scratch-my-back-I-scratch yours’ tactic.

They are:  Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) two deputy party leaders  Wycliffe Oparanya and Ali Hassan Joho, the Minority Whip in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi and the national party chairman John Mbadi.

As the National Assembly prepares to vet the nominees to the cabinet, a high-powered government delegation was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to formally submit the instruments of Raila’s candidature, a reward for his role in quelling the four-week-old anti-government protests which threatened President Ruto’s stay in power.

So huge was Raila’s sacrifice to rescue Ruto that it remains to be seen whether the protests will persist with the previous ferocity especially after the nomination of the ODM politicians to the cabinet appeared to be warmly received in the opposition strongholds. 

 The veteran politician’s call for dialogue after police killed young protestors who stormed Parliament seemed to reinforce a shaken president who appeared to have been caught flat-footed by the magnitude of the crisis. A behind-the-scenes deal with President Ruto who announced his intention to form a “broad-based government” opened a window for Raila to nominate his acolytes to the Cabinet.

 The youth on June 25, stormed Parliament after MPs passed the controversial bill to its final stage—signing by the president. The youth were opposed to proposals to raise taxes and have been demanding accountability in the management of public monies and good governance. The protests that claimed the lives of more than 50 young protesters forced Ruto to disband his Cabinet and fire the police command.

Wiper leader and Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka has declined to join Cabinet saying it had “blood on its hands.”

If approved, Raila will battle it out among other candidates at the elections to be held during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Africa Union in Addis Ababa, in February 2025.

Four aspirants have already announced publicly they will seek to contest. They include Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Somalia’s former Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam, and former Seychellois Vice President Vincent Meriton.

In a submission done by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei, Raila now stands a chance 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.

Meet obligations

Since the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 and its mutation to AU, no Kenyan has ever served as the Secretary-General or Chairperson of the Organisation.

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.

Yesterday, Sing’oei accompanied by Kenya’s Ambassador to Ethiopia George Orina, and key members of the  Raila Secretariat, Professor Makau Mutua and Ambassador Elkanah Odembo submitted Raila’s credentials through the Dean of the Eastern Region, Raj Busgeeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius, and to the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union.

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,” he said.

Mudavadi who is also the Prime Cabinet Secretary said that Kenya’s offer of Raila Odinga for the position of AUC Chairperson is informed by Raila’s Pan-Africanist credentials, his suitability, his vast networks across Africa and his proven competence to lead AUC – Africa’s premier continental organisation.

Formulated policies

He said Raila’s key focus and commitment is to harness Africa’s rich and vast human and natural resources to propel Africa towards a new era of shared prosperity, adding that Raila envisions an African Union Commission that can deliver on the priorities of the African peoples.

Mudavadi stated that Raila has formulated priorities and strategies to address the most pressing challenges facing the continent including African Integration and Infrastructure Development, Economic Transformation, Enhancing Intra-African Trade and Financial Independence.

In addition, Raila has also formulated strategies of Gender Equity and Equality, Agricultural Transformation, Climate Action, Peace and Security and a Youth Empowerment Agenda for Africa.

While hailing Raila as an exceptional African, Mudavadi explained that he embodies high ethical standards and unparalleled integrity and well-honed diplomatic skills, an ardent champion of African unity, intra-African trade and integration, and infrastructural connectivity.

“These qualities were in full display when he served as High Representative of the AUC Chairperson on Infrastructure. His leadership is visionary, transformational, action-oriented, and shall accelerate the implementation of the aspirations, goals, and flagship programs of Agenda 2063,” said Mudavadi.

Raila has served as Prime Minister and in various Ministerial portfolios and importantly as the High Representative of the AUC Chairperson on Infrastructure.

“It is fact that Africa is endowed with vast human and natural resources that have yet to be fully harnessed for the benefit of its people. That is why the AU needs a catalytic and visionary leader to unlock this potential. The remarkable life and exemplary career experiences of Raila make him a perfect fit to sit at the helm of the AUC to drive Africa’s transformation and Agenda 2063,” said Mudavadi.

In addition, Raila has observed several elections in Africa and has served as a peace mediator in several countries.