Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is intensifying his campaign for the African Union Commission chairperson position by engaging with heads of state and influential figures during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. He is part of the delegation accompanying President William Ruto and is strategically leveraging this opportunity to garner support, particularly from leaders across Africa.
Raila has already secured backing from the East African region, including countries like Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan. On Monday, Ruto and Raila met with Senegalese President Diomaye Faye to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and rallying support for Raila’s candidacy in the upcoming elections set for February 2025.
“We will deepen our ties with Senegal to advance shared goals in peace, development, and continental integration,” Ruto stated.
During the meeting, Raila emphasized his vision for continental unity and development, committing to address urgent issues such as climate change, economic recovery, and regional security, according to an anonymous source.
Africa is divided into five regions: Eastern, Northern, Central, Southern, and Western Africa. Kenya has yet to establish a strong foothold in the other regions, making international platforms like UNGA crucial for pursuing this agenda. Raila’s extensive political experience and established relationships across the continent position him as a strong candidate for the role.
Ruto and Raila have planned several similar meetings with heads of state and diplomatic representatives attending the Assembly. Language is a significant factor influencing the voting patterns in the elections, with 21 Francophone (French-speaking) countries and 24 English-speaking nations on the continent.
Raila has a history of accompanying the head of state on international trips, underscoring their influence in elections. Earlier this month, he was part of the delegation to China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and recently accompanied Ruto to Germany.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and former Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S. Elkana Odembo, who are spearheading Raila’s campaign, assured that the government would make every effort to ensure his success.
