NAIROBI, Kenya – In the official launch of his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga outlined his vision for a more inclusive and impactful AU.
Addressing an audience of high-profile dignitaries, Odinga pledged to work closely with African heads of state to make the AU resonate more deeply with the continent’s populace.
Odinga’s speech, delivered on Tuesday, focused on his commitment to reshaping the AU into an organization that directly affects the daily lives of African citizens.
“I plan to collaborate with Excellencies to make the African Union truly people-centered. The people of Africa should feel the AU’s presence in their lives,” he declared.
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Emphasizing unity, Odinga stressed his desire for an Africa that transcends regional divides, envisioning a continent united in its pursuit of common goals.
His speech marked the beginning of his campaign to succeed Moussa Faki of Chad, whose term as AUC chair ends early next year.
The launch event, attended by four sitting heads of state, two former presidents from the East African Community, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Kenya formally submitted Odinga’s bid for the AUC chairmanship in July.
Odinga faces competition from Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Mauritius’s Anil Gayan, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
