Kenya woos African Diplomatic Corps in race for AUC chair post

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged African countries to support Kenya's bid for chair of the African Union Commission (AUC), saying it is Eastern Africa's turn and that the primary goal is to foster trade and investment ties on the continent.

Kenya aims to participate in the 2025 AUC election to leverage its position within the African Union (AU) to champion institutional reforms and advance the Pan-African Agenda.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), is the candidate in the race to succeed Chadian Moussa Faki Mahamat. Thus far, only Raila and Somalia's Fawzia Haji Adan, have declared their bids.

Mudavadi drummed up support for Kenya in an address in Nairobi on Monday, at a meeting of the African Diplomatic Corps - African ambassadors accredited to Kenya.

"Kenya is determined to strengthen its position within the African Union Commission," he said, highlighting the country's commitment to building a more interconnected and prosperous Africa.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi (C) interacts with members of the African Diplomatic Corps during their meeting on March 4, 2024. (Photo: X/ Musalia Mudavadi)

Mudavadi, also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, also highlighted Kenya's active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), citing successful trade partnerships with other countries.

"Kenya, one of the pilot countries in the implementation of the AfCFTA, exported its first goods of locally made car batteries and tea to Ghana in October 2022," he said.

The minister further noted that over the past year, Kenya has actively engaged in diplomatic exchanges, facilitating numerous official visits and signing Memoranda of Understanding with various African countries.

These efforts, he said, reflect Kenya's proactive approach toward advancing its foreign policy agenda, with a particular emphasis on deepening relations with its African counterparts.

"Africa forms the core of Kenya's foreign policy," Mudavadi said, emphasising the significance of mutual coexistence and cooperation among African nations.

Key initiatives such as the removal of visa requirements for all countries effective January 1, 2024, also exemplify Kenya's commitment to fostering intra-Africa trade and unity.  Mudavadi assured diplomats of the country's determination to address concerns around the new visa regime to ensure a seamless transition.

"I am aware that the implementation of the visa-free regime has its teething challenges but I assure your excellencies that we are aware of these concerns which continue to be addressed and soon we will have a flawless regime," Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi said Kenya will also support the twenty-first replenishment of the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA21), which will raise additional resources to support Africa's development needs. In April, President William Ruto will host a heads of state summit jointly organised by the government and the World Bank to drum up support for this course.

Regarding conflicts that have threatened the region's stability, the CS African urged African countries to step up efforts to resolve them and end humanitarian crises.

More than 15 countries, including four in the Horn of Africa, have experienced conflicts in the recent past, leading to acute food insecurity and the displacement of millions of people, and leaving millions of children out of school due to insecurity.