Kenya is gearing up to officially nominate former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as its candidate for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC). Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced the upcoming launch of Odinga’s candidacy during the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD-9) Ministerial Meeting. The grand unveiling is set to take place on Tuesday, with President Ruto leading the announcement. Heads of State from the East African Community (EAC) have been invited to attend the event.
The merger of the Kenyan government and Odinga’s secretariat aims to streamline campaign efforts, including the launch of a campaign website. A team of experienced diplomats will lead the strategic efforts to secure the AUC post. While in Tokyo, Mudavadi engaged with Foreign Affairs Ministers to garner support for Kenya’s bid, emphasizing the importance of consolidating ground before the February 2025 elections.