- The Cotu boss said Raila will be able to address the myriad of problems facing the continent.
- Atwoli thanked President William Ruto for making it easier for Raila to declare his candidature.
Image: HANDOUT
Central Organisation of Trade Unions boss Francis Atwoli now says Azimio leader Raila Odinga fits the bill for the African Union Commission chairperson job.
The trade unionist asked the Kenya Kwanza government to launch an aggressive campaign across the continent to ensure that Raila clinches the position.
“He (Raila) has been tested and understands the social, political and economic dynamics across the continent," Atwoli said on Friday.
“I hope Raila Odinga will do a good job and that is what we were hoping for, I want to thank the government which will front him as a candidate and we want the government to go flat out to ensure he gets the seat.”
Atwoli, who supported Raila’s presidential bid in the 2022 general election before dumping him for President William Ruto after the polls, said Odinga is a “capable person who people admire”.
The Cotu boss thanked what he termed as President Ruto’s goodwill that allowed Raila to declare his candidature for the continental job.
“Without the government support, it would not be possible for him to declare his candidature, we will be safe as Africa with Raila in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” he said.
Addressing the press on Friday, Atwoli hailed Raila’s credentials saying he will lead the charge in settling extreme challenges that are facing the continent.
“One of the conflicts that people will have to solve is the DRC one because it is close to us and if there is a problem there it affects us," Atwoli said.
Atwoli said some of Raila’s assignments, if he wins the seat include ensuring political stability in Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan,’” he said.
“I want to assure his excellency Raila Odinga of our support for his bid at the helm of the African continent," he said.
Raila on Thursday announced he is ready to serve the continent as chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Over the past week, there have been speculations that President William Ruto was backing Raila for the job, as the current AU boss Moussa Faki's tenure comes to an end.
Raila made his aspiration public in a press conference attended by AU Special Envoy and former Nigeria president Olusegun Obasanjo in Nairobi.
"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," he said.