Kenya officially submits Raila's candidature for AU Commission Chairperson in Addis Ababa

Kenya officially submitted Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission chairperson on Monday in Addis Ababa to the Dean of the Eastern Region, the Mauritius Ambassador to Ethiopia.

“Under the authority of the Government of Kenya and as per the Statutes and Rules of the African Union Commission, we have today formally submitted the requisite documentation for Kenya's nominee for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of the Eastern Region, H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius,” posted Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei on his X account.

He was accompanied by Raila’s lead campaign team, which included Makau Mutua and former Kenyan ambassador to the U.S., Elkanah Odembo.

A dean of a region in the diplomatic corps is the longest-serving envoy or high-ranking diplomat.

Interestingly, Mauritius is also fronting its former Foreign Minister, Anil Gayan, for the same position.

Raila’s escalated application comes days after President William Ruto announced key names of opposition figures in his cabinet dubbed the “broad-based government.”

Kenya aspires to succeed Chadian Moussa Faki as the next chairperson of the continental body commission, with elections slated for the next AU Summit in February 2025.

Continental leaders will elect the new AU Commission chair.

Technically, the chairperson of the AUC is responsible for the commission’s administration and finances; promoting and popularizing the AU’s objectives and enhancing its performance; consulting and coordinating with key stakeholders like member states, development partners, RECs; appointing and managing Commission staff; and acting as a depositary for all AU and OAU treaties and legal instruments.

The AUC Chair needs to be both technically sound in the management of the commission and a seasoned diplomat to deal with the various stakeholders in the diplomatic space.