NAIROBI, Kenya- Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister, is taking his first formal steps toward continental leadership as he launches his campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson role.
Set to announce his Pan-African vision at the AU’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Odinga’s Friday campaign debut represents a pivotal shift from his decades-long focus on Kenyan politics to the broader African stage.
Odinga’s team, led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and former Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S. Elkanah Odembo, plans to roll out a series of events in Addis Ababa to boost his candidacy.
A grand reception at the AU Multipurpose Hall will showcase Odinga’s commitment to a transformative Africa aligned with AU Agenda 2063 goals.
At this event, Odinga will outline his four-point platform, which emphasizes economic transformation, expanded intra-Africa trade, financial independence, and gender equality. Climate change—an issue disproportionately impacting African nations—also ranks high on Odinga’s agenda as he seeks to rally support across the continent.
Odinga’s team includes seasoned diplomats and political strategists, such as Makumi Mwagiru and Catherine Mwangi, who have already met to map out campaign strategies for his African Union bid.
Backed by influential allies, Odinga’s bid has attracted significant support from Kenya and the broader East African region.
In August, President William Ruto endorsed Odinga’s campaign at a high-profile event at Kenya’s State House.
The event saw leaders from across East Africa, including Presidents Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Salva Kiir of South Sudan, express their support.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete also joined this coalition, signaling a powerful regional endorsement.
Recently, Ruto continued championing Odinga’s candidacy at the 23rd summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in Burundi, meeting with leaders such as Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema.
Odinga faces a competitive lineup for the AUC chairmanship, with strong rivals from Eastern Africa, including Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato, and Mauritius’s Anil Gayan.
Youssouf, seen as Odinga’s most formidable opponent, is known for his diplomatic influence across the region. Despite this, Odinga’s deep-rooted connections and his “patriotic league of indomitable visionaries,” as Ruto described, bolster his position in the race.
With Kenya rallying East African unity around his bid, Odinga aims to build on his history of Pan-African advocacy.
His message underscores Africa’s need for a collaborative and forward-thinking approach to shared challenges, presenting a vision that resonates with many of today’s pressing priorities.
