- Ruto said it is because is Kenyan and that East African Community leaders have agreed to back his candidature.
- He went on to say that he believes Raila has the capacity and means to handle the affairs of the AU Commission office.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has given several reasons as to why he wants former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to be the next chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Speaking on Friday, after receiving the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, Ruto said it is because he is Kenyan and that East African Community leaders have agreed to back his candidature.
He went on to say that he believes Raila has the capacity and means to handle the affairs of the AU Commission office.
Ruto said the third reason is that the EAC has agreed to move towards the same direction, which is to have Raila at the helm of the AUC.
"I know my friend the former vice president has said that indeed we have agreed as leaders from the East African Community because it is the turn of the East African side of our continent to provide the leadership for AU," the President said.
"I have consulted with the leaders of our region and we have agreed to support the candidature of Raila Odinga and it is because, number one, he is Kenyan. Two, we believe he has the stature and the wherewithal to handle the affairs of that office and three, as East Africans we have agreed that we move together in that direction."
Ruto further noted that Kenya, as a country does not have good representation in the various international positions that exist.
He also said while the country put out a good campaign in the last AU Commission election, it was not enough to bag the country the seat, but this is another good opportunity to do it.
"We all remember we pushed the candidature of Amina Mohamed last time, we did very well, she won the first round but didn't win the final round. It is another opportunity for us as a country to present a candidate from Kenya for the position of AU," he said.
"We do not have as many Kenyans in international positions as we should."
The Head of state added the move should not be seen as political, insisting that the move to have Raila at the AU is about the country.
He urged that whenever issues are touching on the country, Kenyans should be able to unite and approach it as a common unit.
"This is not about political sides, this is about Kenya and we must always remember that there is politics and we have a nation and when there are issues that concern Kenya as a nation, we must close ranks as communities, as parties, as sides so that we can all move together," Ruto said.
The current AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki of Chad's term ends next year. The election will be held in February 2025.
While announcing his candidature in February, Raila said he was ready to serve the continent, should he get the call to.