- A candidate for AU Commission chairman must be fronted by a member state, meaning President Ruto’s administration will be spearheading Raila’s candidature.
- Should Raila become the next AU Commission chair, it means that he will have to exit the country's political space
Image: LEAH MUKANGAI
Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Thursday made public his intentions to vie for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
His bid comes at a time when the tenure of incumbent Moussa Faki of Chad is coming to an end.
During his announcement, Raila said that he was the right candidate for the job.
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.
"Today, I want to make it public that I am ready to go for the chairmanship of the Africa Union... 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," Raila said.
The former Prime Minister also received backing 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.”
A candidate for AU Commission chairman must be fronted by a member state, meaning President Ruto’s administration will be spearheading Raila’s candidature.
Should Raila become the next AU Commission chair, it means that he will have to exit the country's political space.
A holder of such a position is expected at all times to remain neutral on issues related to development, conflicts and politics in all African countries.
This means that Raila will become a critical player in major international happenings not just in Africa, but across the globe.
It also means that he will not be available to take part in the country's political scene, come 2027.
The former Prime Minister can only take part in the election as an ordinary voter, but cannot go out campaigning for his preferred candidate or participate as a candidate.
The only way he can actively take part in the election is if he relinquishes the position of AU Commission by stepping down.
If elected, Raila will take charge of the commission in January 2025 and will be expected to serve for four years. This means his term at the AUC will come to an end in 2028, a year after Kenya's next general election.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei says President William Ruto's administration is ready to support Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission chairperson job.
The PS said that as the ministry has done before, it is ready to do all that it takes to support Raila's candidacy.
"Facilitating the candidature of qualified Kenyans to regional and international organizations is one of the mandates of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. We are on standby to support this quest of a well-deserving national," Sing'oei posted on X.
It also means that the Azimio coalition, which constitutes several parties will have to look for someone who will become its leader.
Other principals in the coalition have been gunning to lead the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Orange Democratic Movement party will also have to start preparing for life without the active participation of the former Prime Minister.
At the AUC, Raila will also assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, Legal Representative and the Accounting Officer of the Union.
He will chair all Commission meetings and deliberations to determine the order of the agenda items and undertake measures aimed at promoting and popularising AU’s objectives.
Raila will also facilitate the functioning, decision-making and reporting of all AU organ meetings and consult and coordinate with Member States’ governments, other institutions and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on AU’s activities.
He will also carry out the AU’s diplomatic representations and assume overall responsibility for the Commission’s administration and finances to ensure efficient and effective undertaking of the Commission’s mandate.
Other roles include ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of AU statutory meetings, liaising closely with organs of the Union to guide and support and monitor the performance of the Union to ensure conformity and harmony with agreed policies and strategies.
Raila will also ensure the preparation of annual reports on the AU and its organs’ activities and supervise the performance and delivery of the Commission’s senior leadership team.