Varsity student leaders laud Raila for spirited AUC bid

The Lake Side Caucus of student leaders has congratulated former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his pursuit of the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

The former Prime Minister lost the AUC seat bid in an election held on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf won the race.

In a statement on Monday, the student leaders said Raila’s steadfast commitment to social, political, and economic transformation for the people is etched in Kenyan and African history.

The student leaders welcomed Raila back home saying they cherish the bond with him now and for generations to come.

“As budding scholars and leaders in our generation who have closely followed the issues as canvassed and understood by various nations and candidates, we are fully aware that multiple, complex external factors influenced the outcome of the AUC election, and it did not solely depend on Kenya’s exemplary efforts,” the statement reads.

“We join President Ruto and the Raila in congratulating the winning candidate and reaffirming our commitment to supporting the African Union’s mission of unity, peace, and prosperity for the continent. They have demonstrated statesmanship that is worth emulation.”

The student leaders thanked Ruto for his unwavering support by mobilising government structures, starting with his efforts and that of his office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, security agencies, the Kenyan intelligence community and Kenyan diplomatic stations abroad.

The university student leaders proposed three ways the African Union can create mechanisms to involve the youths.

“As the next generation of African leaders, we believe the African Union must create mechanisms that actively involve university students in its work. This will not only cultivate Pan-Africanism at the grassroots level but also empower young Africans to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s development,” the statement reads.

The student leaders called on the African Union to establish formal mechanisms that allow university students to shadow AU officials and participate in its programs.

Such initiatives, they said, will provide students with firsthand experience in continental governance and foster a deeper understanding of Pan-African ideals.

“By involving students in the AU’s work, we can nurture a new generation of leaders who are committed to the unity and progress of Africa.”

“These forums should serve as platforms for intellectual exchange, cultural dialogue, and the preservation of Africa’s rich history. Specifically, we propose the creation of digital repositories that document the lives and contributions of African greats such as the founders of the OAU, Nelson Mandela, and contemporary leaders like Raila Odinga,” the student leaders added.

These repositories, they said, should be accessible to students across the continent, enabling collaboration between institutions such as the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, the University of Cape Town, the University of Cairo, Kwame Nkrumah University, and Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar.

“We envision these forums hosting virtual lectures by prominent African leaders and scholars, including Raila, who can share their insights on democratic change, constitutional reform, and Pan-Africanism. By preserving and promoting our history, we can inspire future generations and strengthen the bonds of unity across Africa.”

They further called for the establishment of AU Centres for Democracy and Governance in Universities.

“These centres will honour the sacrifices of those who fought for Africa’s second liberation, particularly in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall. They will serve as depositories of the lives and legacies of African greats, including the founders of the OAU, and will promote research, dialogue, and advocacy on democratic governance.”

They said that by establishing the centers, the AU can empower students to play a greater role in shaping the future of the continent.

“In pursuit of these transformative proposals, the Lake Side Caucus of student leaders will be seeking an audience with Ruto, Raila and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.”

“We aim to seek their guidance and explore ways in which the reforms we propose can be adopted, improved, and escalated through diplomatic channels to the corridors of African Union power for implementation.”