The government will officially unveil Raila Odinga as Kenya’s candidate for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) on Tuesday next week.

President William Ruto will give a road map for the continental campaign on August 27 and ramp up support for Odinga’s bid in the February 2025 elections.

Prime Cabinet and Foreign Affairs Secretary Musalia Mudavadi termed Odinga’s bid as a national mission since the Former Prime Minister 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 said.

In July, the government dispatched a high-level delegation led by the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir Singo’ei, including Odinga’s strategy team, to officially lodge the application with the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union through the Dean of the Eastern Region.

In his application, Odinga outlined his vision for the AUC, which is hinged on various focal areas, namely African integration and infrastructure development, the economic transformation of the continent, enhancing intra-African trade, financial independence, agricultural transformation, climate action, peace and security, youth empowerment, and gender equity and equality.  

During the African Union (AU) 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 15, 2024, the Commission settled on February 2025 as the election date for senior leadership.

The candidates will also be required to participate in a televised debate broadcast live to African citizens. This is an Africa Leadership Debate known as MjadalaAfrika. It allows candidates to outline their vision and how they will lead the transformation of Africa through the implementation of the AU mandate and Africa’s agenda for 2063. Additionally, the debate allows African citizens and other stakeholders to engage the candidates on issues they want addressed.

What it means if Odinga becomes AUC chairperson

Should Odinga get the position, he will have to exit Kenya’s political space. This is because the holder of such a position is expected to remain neutral on issues related to development, conflicts, and politics in all African countries at all times.

Odinga will then become a critical player in major international events not just in Africa as a continent but across the globe. Additionally, he will not be available to take part in Kenya’s political scene, come the next general election in 2027.

However, Odinga, the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader, will only participate in the election as an ordinary voter (Kenyan citizen). He will not campaign for his preferred candidate or participate as one. The only way he will actively participate in the election is if he relinquishes the position at the AUC by stepping down.

If elected, he will take charge of the AUC in February 2025 and is expected to serve for four years until 2028.  

Why the AUC position matters for Kenya

The AU is important because it is the primary continental body responsible for shaping and implementing Africa’s development agenda. Since becoming President, Dr. Ruto has been advocating for reforms to ensure the AU responds better to the needs of the continent’s citizens.

Analysts argue that, by securing the influential AUC chairperson seat, President Ruto would realise his continental goals and enhance Kenya’s influence, leaving an indelible mark on the region and cementing his legacy in the hearts of Kenyans.

Odinga’s previous roles at the AU

A veteran opposition politician, Odinga has extensive political experience spanning more than four decades in Kenya. This has given him the necessary platform to create networks within Africa and beyond.

In addition, he has a history with AU. In 2011, he flew to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as the AU mediator to resolve the political crisis between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara in a post-election dispute. Gbagbo’s side accused him of bias, and he quit the role.

Odinga also served as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa between 2018 and February 2023, when his term ended controversially.

His opponents for the position are Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, Richard J Randriamandrato from Madagascar, and Anil Kumarsingh Gayan from Mauritius.