The Kenyan government and opposition firebrand Raila Odinga presented a united front on Wednesday as they jointly threw their weight behind Odinga’s campaign to become the next chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
At a joint press briefing in Nairobi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the long-time opposition leader expressed their mutual commitment to Odinga’s candidacy for the influential continental position. The two political titans set aside their past differences, signaling Kenya’s determination to secure the prestigious AUC chair.
Mudavadi noted ,that the government has established a special task force dedicated solely to bolstering Odinga’s campaign efforts. “Mr. Odinga’s decades of leadership experience, coupled with his commitment to pan-African ideals, make him an ideal candidate to steer the AU’s agenda,” Mudavadi stated.
The surprise cooperation between the government and opposition camps underscores the significance Kenya has placed on securing the AUC chairpersonship. Odinga will vie against candidates from Djibouti and Somalia in elections slated for February 2025 to determine who will replace the outgoing chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad.
With endorsements already secured from nine African heads of state, including regional powers like Rwanda and Uganda, Odinga’s bid has gained formidable momentum. However, the campaign trail promises to be grueling in the months ahead.