Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has praised Azimio leader Raila Odinga's announcement that he is ready to take over the leadership of the African Union Commission.
In a statement on Thursday, Kuria said that with Raila as chairperson of the AU, the continent is set to get the much-needed change.
He went on to describe Raila as someone who has a wonderful soul and great friend.
"With incoming Chair of African Union Commission. Africa will never be the same again. A super friend and a wonderful soul," Kuria said on X.
His remarks come after Raila said he was ready to lead the African continent, should he be called upon.
Raila also affirmed that he believes he is the right candidate for the job.
"Today, I want to make it public that I am ready to go for the chairmanship of the Africa Union," Raila said.
"I am inclined to accept the challenge. Should the leadership of Africa want my services, I am ready and offer myself to be of service to this continent."
His announcement coincided with the ordinary session of the AU’s Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi is expected to begin drumming up support for Raila’s candidature.
A candidate for AU Commission chairman must be fronted by a member state, meaning President Ruto’s administration will be spearheading Raila’s candidature.
The former Prime Minister also received endorsement from former Nigeria president and AU Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We believe that people who have held the positions of head of government like at PM level will be able to knock on the door of incumbent PMs, Presidents without much ado. Such people would probably be the right persons armed with other attributes at this particular time,” he said.
"I have no doubt in my mind that my friend (Raila) could easily be a viable candidate.”
Obasanjo said all other regions in the continent have held the leadership of the AU and that time is ripe for the East African Community to offer that leadership.
He called on the region to front one candidate, insisting that once this is done, the entire continent will be behind them.
Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki of Chad whose second and final four-year term ends in next year having been elected on January 30, 2017.
