Kenya has today, formally submitted the candidature of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga for the position of African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson at the elections to be held during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Africa Union in Addis Ababa, in February 2025.
The submission was made by Dr. Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs accompanied by Amb. George Orina, Kenya’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union and Key Members of the Secretariat.
Based on the principle of inter-regional rotation, it is the turn of the Eastern region to submit candidates for the role of chairperson. Since the founding of the OAU in 1963 and its mutation to AU, no Kenyan has ever served as the secretary General or Chairperson of the Organization.
The submission of Raila’s credentials to the African Union Secretariat was earlier scheduled for June 30. During a phone conversation with the Star, PS Korir said that the delay in the submission of Raila’s bid was due to the chaos and confusion that has rampaged the country over the past weeks.
President William Ruto’s government has promised to pull out all the stops to ensure Raila secures the highly coveted seat that would catapult him to the stature of head of state.
Raila’s candidacy has also secured the backing of other African states including Malawi and Zambia, boosting his bid to succeed Moussa Faki at the helm of the AUC.
