• This week, Raila has been to Namibia and Uganda.
• Raila has assured his support base that he will still be available for them.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/X
Opposition Chief Raila Odinga will next week fly out of the country to Rwanda as his campaign for the top AU job gains momentum.
Raila will be meeting Rwandan President Paul Kagame to seek his vote in the coming Africa Union Commission chairmanship elections early next year.
The former Prime Minister has been criss-crossing the continent since he publicly declared his interest in the seat on February 15.
The ODM boss, who spoke in Kisii county on Thursday, said Tanzanian President Suluhu Hassan has agreed to support his bid.
There have been speculations that Tanzania could rally behind former President Jakaya Kikwete to challenge Raila for the seat.
Raila said he has been in talks with South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his South Africa counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.
“I will speak with all the leaders on the continent to seek their support. I am ready for the battle and whoever will also bid for the same position, I am ready,” he said.
“I have spoken to President Salva Kiir [South Sudan] and he has agreed to support me. Even Mama Suluhu (Tanzania) has said she will be supporting me.”
This week, Raila was in Namibia and Uganda as part of his broader mission to consolidate the region’s support ahead of the March 2025 elections.
“On Monday, I met presidents Museveni [Uganda] and Ruto [Kenya] and sought their support for the bid. They both agreed to vote for me,” he said.
“In fact President Museveni said he will be the one who will propose me for the job.”
Raila said he is ready to face whoever is fronted for the seat.
"I'll meet whoever comes out to battle for the seat. If they defeat me, it is okay,'' Raila said.
The opposition chief assured his supporters he will remain available even if he succeeds in his quest to chair the AU Commission.
“I am not going anywhere. Don’t get worried my countrymen and women. I will be here with you. The flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi is just two hours away and I shall be at your doorstep,” he said.
Raila was speaking when he opened an aggregation and marketing centre in Marani town, Kitutu Chache North constituency.
He also took his tour of Kisii to Magena in Bomachoge-Borabu constituency and Daraja Mbili in Kitutu Chache-South constituency, where he presided over the opening of markets.
He was accompanied by governors Simba Arati (Kisii), Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), MPs Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache-South), his Nyaribari Masaba counterpart Daniel Manduku and Nofalson Barongo (Bomachoge-Borabu).
Arati described the ODM boss as a capable leader qualified for the job.
“Baba, we are supporting you and urge everyone to do it with an open heart, not just because they fear your presence in the country. Let everyone support your bid and we shall all be happy,” he said.
Oyacko said, “A win for Baba will be victory for our region (EAC) and the entire continent. He is up to the task and he will deliver.”