Raila among leaders attending IDA21 Summit in Nairobi

The Summit provides an opportunity for Raila to personally seek support from visiting presidents in his AU job bid

In Summary

• Raila is seeking to become the next African Union Commission chairperson and the gathering of African leaders provides an opportunity for him ask for their support.

• The Summit, which is on its second day, brings together African Heads of state and government from at least 20 countries in the continent.

Chief Justice Martha Koome (right), Azimio leader Raila Odinga (centre) and Central Bank Governor Dr Kamau Thugge (left) at the ongoing International Development Association (IDA21) summit in Nairobi, on April 29, 2024.
Chief Justice Martha Koome (right), Azimio leader Raila Odinga (centre) and Central Bank Governor Dr Kamau Thugge (left) at the ongoing International Development Association (IDA21) summit in Nairobi, on April 29, 2024.
Image: PCS

Azimio leader Raila Odinga is among leaders attending the International Development Association (IDA21) Summit in Nairobi.

The Summit, which is on its second day, brings together African Heads of state and government from at least 20 countries in the continent.

In pictures seen by the Star, Raila who is present at the summit is seen seated between Chief Justice Martha Koome and Central Bank Governor Kamau Thugge.

The summit is hosted by President William Ruto and the World Bank.

The International Development Association is a development finance institution which offers concessional loans and grants to the world's poorest developing countries. 

Raila is seeking to become the next African Union Commission chairperson and the gathering of African leaders provides an opportunity for him ask for their support.

The former Prime Minister announced his bid for the AU job in February.

President William Ruto has also been campaigning for Raila's AU candidature.

While he has secured support from various countries including Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Guinea Bissau, and Zimbabwe among others, there more work to be done as one needs an absolute majority to become AU Commission chairperson.

He has also been traversing the continent as he asks for support from neighbouring countries.

The AU Executive Council a few weeks ago ratified a decision to have Eastern Africa produce the next chairperson.

In a unanimous vote during the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council, the AU Council also gave the deputy chairperson to Northern Africa.

In the arrangement, Central, Southern and Western Africa will flex muscles for the six slots for commissioners.

The decision is in accordance with the Statute of the AU Commission, the Rules of Procedure of the African Union policy organs and the decisions of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Eastern Africa was widely expected to provide chairmanship given that the other regions had occupied the top seat.

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