- Raila said that even with him at the AU Commission, he will continue to ensure that things work as they should in his home country.
- The former Prime minister insisted that he will be very much around.
Image: ODM/X
Azimio leader Raila Odinga now says that he will work with the African continent and Kenya at the same time, should he bag the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Speaking in Kibra on Saturday, Raila said that even with him at the AU Commission, he will continue to ensure that things work as they should in his home country.
The former Prime minister insisted that he will be very much around.
"Watu wameskia kuwa nataka kuwa Rais jumuiya ya AU lakini Baba yuko hapa. I will be around here, I'm not going to be away. I will continue to ensure that things are working in my own country. I will work for the continent of Africa and at the same time work for Kenya. I can be able to scale the stairs and chew the gum at the same time," Raila said.
He further told those who have been making a fuss out of his bid for the AU Commission job that he is very much around.
He added that should the time come, and Kenyans ask him to come back, he will respond to their calls.
"Kwa hivyo watu ambao wanasema Baba anatoka wanahangaika nasema Baba yuko tu hapa. Wakati ukifika mkitaka Baba, na mkiniita, nitaitika," Raila said.
This loosely translates to, "So people who say Baba is leaving and are worried, I say Baba is just here. When the time comes when you want the Baba, and you call me, I will answer."
His remarks come even as he eyes the seat that will fall vacant following the end of the tenure of Moussa Faki of Chad. Faki is currently serving his second and final term at the AU.
Raila said that he will reach out to other African leaders to support his bid for the AU Commission chairmanship.
He added that should he get the job, he will work from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which is also not far from Nairobi.
Raila who announced his bid in February is the candidate fronted by the East African Community as it is the turn of the region to produce the head of the AU Commission.
The AU Commission chairperson and vice chairperson elections are set for February 2025.