NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has expressed confidence in securing the African Union (AU) Commission chairmanship, saying his extensive campaign across the continent has positioned him for victory.
Speaking at the Business Bay Square (BBS) mall in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Raila emphasized that his outreach had gained him substantial support.
“The campaigns have been successful. We have traversed Africa, engaging with leaders and citizens, and we are confident of securing votes from most countries,” he stated.
While he did not disclose specific details, Raila asserted that he has the backing and numbers needed to clinch the seat.
He was accompanied by Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, BBS chairperson Abdiweli Mohamed Hassan, and Eastleigh North ward MCA Ahmad Dabar.
The AU elections, scheduled for February 15-16 during the 38th African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will determine the next Commission chairperson.
Raila faces competition from Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. To win, a candidate must secure 32 votes out of the 49 eligible AU member states.
Although the AU has 55 member countries, six are currently ineligible to vote.
Having visited 40 countries in his campaign, Raila has positioned himself as a pan-Africanist with a vision for regional integration, economic growth, and institutional reforms.
During his visit to BBS, Africa’s largest shopping center, Raila commended the development as a model for economic transformation.
He praised the initiative for creating employment opportunities and underscored the need for similar investments in Kenya to curb the reliance on foreign shopping hubs.
“If we have more of such developments in Kenya, why should we go to Dubai? Nairobi can also change,” he remarked.
BBS has drawn notable visitors, including President William Ruto and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Raila assured the mall’s developers of his support in expanding their operations across Africa should he win the AU chairmanship.
