Ruto invites EAC heads for Raila's Africa Union bid launch

President William Ruto invited his East African counterparts on Tuesday to help him rally support for Raila Odinga's Africa Union Commission Chairmanship bid.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited presidents of the neighbouring nations as Ruto gears to launch Raila's bid officially.

Information from the Foreign Ministry indicated that Ruto will use the opportunity to woo fellow heads of state in explaining why Raila's candidature is the best and most timely for the continent.

While issuing the status of Raila's spirited bid last Wednesday after meeting Raila, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi called on Kenyans to stand with the Azimio leader.

He expressed that Raila has always represented the values and aspirations of Kenya.

"It is also programmed that next week, August 27, 2024, His Excellency President William Ruto will be formally launching the candidacy of the Kenyan Candidate in the name of Raila Odinga," Mudavadi said.

"Raila Odinga represents Kenya's voice, values and aspirations on the continent. As he steps forward, let us stand with him, not just as a government but as a united people."

He commended President Ruto and his administration for supporting Raila's candidature. He said the ODM leader has the government's endorsement and full support.

"To fellow Kenyans, as a nation, we have always come together to stand with our own whether on the tracks, field or the global stage. Just as we cheered our athletes in the Olympics, let us lend our full support to Raila as he carries the Kenyan flag high in the race for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission. This is more than a candidacy, it is a national mission," the Prime CS said.

In July, Kenya formally submitted the ODM leader's bid for the African Union Chairmanship seat.

Foreign affairs PS Korir Singo'ei said the government had presented the requisite documentation of Kenya's nominee for the Chairmanship to the Dean of Eastern Region.

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 requisite documentation of Kenya's nominee for the Chairmanship of African Union, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of Eastern Region, H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius," Singo'ei said.

Present during the submission of the bid were Raila's close ally Makau Mutua and Kenya's ambassador to Addis Ababa George Orina, among other officials.

Raila and Ruto have both met East Africa's heads of state separately and jointly in a bid to win support for Kenya.

In March this year, the East African Community (EAC) heads of state agreed to back one candidate for chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC).

The decision was announced in Nairobi on Tuesday by Ruto when addressing the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).