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Why I endorsed Raila Odinga for AU job - Ruto

President William Ruto during the official opening of the Second Homa Bay County International Investment Conference. (X/William Ruto)

By Lucy Mumbi | Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Ruto and Raila crafted a campaign team to rally regional nations to support the opposition leader’s bid.

President William Ruto on Tuesday explained his decision to support Azimio leader Raila Odinga for the African Union Commission chairperson position.

Ruto said endorsing Raila for the coveted post to replace Moussa Faki is a win-win situation. Faki's tenure is coming to an end.

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The Head of State spoke on Tuesday at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay County during the county’s second International Investment Conference.

“We want to unify the country and work together towards the unity of Kenya and that is important to all of us,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of national unity, stressing the need for everyone, especially those in the political sphere, to feel like winners.

“Those in opposition must mean well for Kenya and those in government must also mean well but there are no Kenyans in opposition or this other side,” Ruto said.

At the same time, he announced that the Mashujaa Day scheduled on October 20, 2025, will be held in Homa Bay County at Raila Odinga Stadium.

Ruto announced this after Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga asked him to consider her county as a host to a national holiday.

She said Homa Bay has a modern stadium that is hosting the Kenya Premier League sports tournament.

Raila candidacy

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga's candidacy has received massive support from leaders across the political divide.

On Monday, Raila, President Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni were photographed at Museveni’s farm in Kisozi, Uganda.

Taking to his X account on Tuesday, Raila acknowledged Museveni’s endorsement of his African Union candidacy and appreciated Ruto for backing it.

He noted that he accepted an invitation from Museveni for a joint meeting with Ruto to discuss the deepening of regional integration within the East African Community.

“I am very grateful to President Museveni for strongly endorsing my candidacy and to President Ruto for fully backing it,” Raila said.

Ruto and Raila crafted a campaign team to rally regional nations to support the opposition leader’s bid.