RAILA ODINGA’S AUC CHAIR BID TO BE UNVEILED IN NAIROBI WITH KEY HEADS OF STATE ATTENDING
On Tuesday, Nairobi is destined to host a high-profile event when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be unveiled as a candidate for the chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The commissioning, presided over by President William Ruto at State House, is expected to draw considerable international attention.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura confirmed last Monday late in the night that there will be several Heads of State, although he maintained silence on the names.
“Tomorrow we are launching the bid of Raila Odinga to be the AUC chair at State House, and the President of the Republic of Kenya is a champion for reforms at the AU. He took over from Paul Kagame, and you saw people coming here in droves. We’ll have several presidents tomorrow, for example.”
There are indications that at least five Heads of State in the East African Community EAC are to grace the occasion.
EAC member countries are divided into eight members which include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.
The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, arrived in Nairobi on Monday evening and was received by Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
Mvurya announced on X: “Receiving South Sudan President H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, ahead of the Launch of Kenya’s Candidature for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.”
Among those expected to grace the launch and who have already endorsed his candidature is former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is also in Kenya.
Raila is racing to replace Moussa Faki of Chad, whose second term will be expiring. The election for AUC chairperson is set for early 2025.
Raila faces competition from Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Mauritius’ Anil Gayan, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
