RUTO TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH RAILA ODINGA’S AU COMMISSION CHAIRMANSHIP CAMPAIGN NEXT WEEK
President William Ruto is expected to formally launch Raila Odinga’s campaign for the African Union Commission chairmanship next week. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, flanked by Odinga’s aides, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said: “We exhort the people of Kenya to support this candidacy because in Mr. Odinga, we see values that this country holds very dear and aspires to attain.”
President Ruto has also announced that August 27, 2024, will mark the official launch of Raila Odinga’s bid for the chairmanship.
He emphasized,“Hon Raila Odinga represents Kenya’s voice, values, and aspirations on the continent. As he steps forward, let us stand with him, not just as a government but as a united people.”
Mudavadi affirmed that President Ruto’s government fully supports Odinga’s candidacy.
“The ODM leader has the government’s endorsement and full support,” he said. He urged Kenyans to support Odinga with the same enthusiasm as they did during the Olympics.
“Just as we cheered our athletes in the Olympics, let us give Raila our full support as he carries the Kenyan flag high in the race for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission. This is more than a candidacy; it’s a national mission,” Mudavadi added, making a clear appeal to MPs.
Kenya’s formal submission of Odinga’s nomination for the African Union Chairmanship was completed in July. Foreign Affairs PS Korir Singo’ei stated, “Under the authority of the Government of Kenya and as per the Statutes and Rules of the African Union Commission, we have today formally submitted the requisite documentation of Kenya’s nominee for the Chairmanship of the African Union, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of Eastern Region, H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius.”
Present at the submission were Odinga’s close ally Makau Mutua and Kenya’s ambassador to Addis Ababa, George Orina.
The government has established a joint campaign secretariat to support Odinga’s campaign. This secretariat combines strategy and campaign teams from both Raila’s camp and the government and is based at the Railways Building, which houses the offices of the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the Foreign Affairs CS.
