NAIROBI, Kenya – Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has endorsed Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission’s (AUC) chairmanship.
Taking to his official X account, Gachagua said that the former prime minister was best suited to take over the continent’s top seat.
“Kenya’s finest Rt. Hon. @RailaOdinga Odinga is undoubtedly the best bet for the African Union Commission chairmanship. Africa deserves the best. There is no doubt about Raila’s worldview and championship for African people,” Gachagua posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Why the African continent needs Raila Odinga
As a continent, Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024 after falling out with his then-boss President William Ruto, said it needs a Raila character to gel the Anglophone and the Francophone selves towards the continent of the future.
“His (Raila’s) win in Addis Ababa imprints his quest for the Pan-African spirit he has lived and championed. Raila Odinga’s win will be good and progressive for Africa. His victory will be a win for Kenya, our motherland,” Gachagua added.
Kenya’s finest Rt. Hon. @RailaOdinga Odinga is undoubtedly the best bet for the African Union Commission chairmanship. Africa deserves the best. There is no doubt about Raila’s worldview and championship for African people. As a continent, we need a @RailaOdinga character to gel…
The upcoming elections for the new chairperson of the AUC will occur tomorrow, Saturday, February 15, 2025, during the next annual summit of the AU’s heads of state and government.
Raila is anticipated to face Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti in the Saturday, February 15, 2025 elections.
The winner will replace Moussa Faki Mahamat, the outgoing chairperson, who has held the position for two terms.
The next annual summit of the heads of state and government of the AU will include the elections for the next chairperson of the AUC.
What the AUC candidates said during a debate
In mid-December 2024, the three candidates participated in a two-hour debate in Addis Ababa.
They all advocated for two permanent seats for African countries in the U.N. Security Council to effectively represent the continent with the youngest population.
Raila said that two permanent seats with veto power were “a must for Africa” and that this was “only fair” since the continent has more than 50 countries.
The African Union has several proposed reforms on its structure and leadership to achieve its purpose, and all candidates promised to implement the reforms if elected.
