I was surprised by government support for my AUC chair bid - Raila Odinga

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has denied allegations that Nairobi is seeking to settle domestic political scores by endorsing his candidature for the African Union Commission (AUC) chair position next year.

He said so at a joint press conference on Wednesday with Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs minister Musalia Mudavadi.

In response to questions from The Eastleigh Voice about whether he was exporting domestic politics to Addis Ababa, Odinga expressed surprise at Nairobi’s announcement of support for his bid.

The Eastleigh Voice asked: “Some Kenyans and some Africans feel Nairobi fronting your candidature is a way of settling domestic political scores. Do you think you’re exporting domestic politics to Addis Ababa?”

Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), responded, “The Kenyan government didn’t ask me. I made the decision myself that I wanted to serve the continent [sic]."

He added, "As you know, you cannot run for this position until you’re endorsed by your country. I was pleasantly surprised that the Kenyan government said they would support me. I was expecting them to say 'No'. I don’t know the reason they said 'Yes'.”

I wish to reiterate the obvious, that I am vying for a position in Africa, not in the government or the Republic of Kenya but I need the endorsement of the government of Kenya for this Africa position.

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) June 5, 2024

At the press conference at the Railways Headquarters, where Mudavadi's office is located, Odinga expressed his desire to propel the continent forward and foster unity, maintaining that it was the government’s choice to endorse him, but refraining from providing specifics.

In his remarks, Mudavadi asserted that Nairobi’s decision to support Odinga was driven by his competence and aligned with Kenya’s national interests.

“This is not about our local issues. It will be an opportunity for Kenya to offer leadership at the African Union Commission, and Raila Odinga has the requisite experience."

He noted that the opposition chief's extensive experience, having navigated through both challenging and favourable conditions, makes him well-suited for the diverse realities of the African continent.

“Raila has seen both hot and cold, and Africa is beaming with both hot and cold. Raila is required on the African continent," he said, adding that the state had set up a campaign secretariat to prepare him to succeed AUC Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat.

He assured Odinga of the support of the government of President William Ruto, who has also described the ODM leader as highly qualified for the top AUC post.

Odinga also said that during his meeting with Mudavadi on his AUC bid, he shared with him the situation and levels of preparation and commitment by the government.

“I assured the team that I will tap into my experience and networks to win as many nations as I can,” he said. “With the commitment between the government and my team, we will clinch the seat.”

He reported that they had agreed on the need for efficiency, cutting bureaucracy, and unveiling a strong campaign team, but did not give details on how much money the government would spend to “oil” Raila’s campaign.

Kenya is expected to submit Odinga’s candidature by June 30, ahead of the August 6 deadline. Mudavadi said that ahead of the February 2025 vote for Faki's successor, the campaign secretariat was putting in order application documents, including CV translations.

“The team is firming up preparatory and application documents together with requisite translations of the resume into six AU languages, that is French, English, Kiswahili, Arabic, Portuguese, and Spanish,” Mudavadi said.

The translation of the CV is in keeping with the resolution of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to adopt the six as its working and communication languages across the continent.