• Ruto said the agreement attests to the strength of the East African Community (EAC).
• He went on to note that this coming together also shows the spirit of the leadership that is being provided by the EAC.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has said that East African heads of state have agreed to front one candidate for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Speaking on Tuesday, during the opening of the third session of the East African Legislative Assembly meeting at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, Ruto said the agreement attests to the strength of the East African Community (EAC).
He went on to note that this coming together also shows the spirit of the leadership that is being provided by the EAC.
"The chair of the AU is coming up next year as the term of our chair Moussa Faki comes to an end. It is going to be the turn for East Africa to provide the chair of the African Union," Ruto said.
"We have sat down in the spirit of the East African Community, we have consulted as heads of state from the East African Community together and we have agreed to sponsor one candidate as East Africans."
"That is the strength of our community that we can do things together and we can consult amongst one another. It speaks to the spirit of the leadership that is being provided by our region."
Kenya has fronted Azimio leader Raila Odinga to be the next chairperson of the AU Commission.
A machinery is being put in place by the Kenya Kwanza administration to campaign for the former Prime minister in his quest for the continental assignment.
Raila announced his candidature for the position on February 15 and has received support from across the country’s political divide, as well as support from at least seven heads of state from the Eastern Africa region.
"I am inclined to accept the challenge and I am ready and I offer myself to be of service. I have asked my friend (Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo) to continue to be a good ambassador and talk to other people," Raila said.
He added that he had been consulting widely among friends on whether to take the job or not.
Moussa Faki's term comes to an end in January 2025 after serving two-four-year terms as AU Commission boss.
Raila has also received the backing of AU Special Envoy and former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo who was with him when he announced his candidature in Nairobi.
The two had held a meeting at Raila's Karen residence.