Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei confirmed that the East African country made its submission at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The government of Kenya has officially submitted the required documents of Azimio leader Raila Odinga for his bid to become the chair of the African Union Commission (AUC).
In a statement on Monday, July 29, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei confirmed that the East African country made its submission at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The papers were handed over to the Dean of the Eastern Region of the AU, Dharmraj Busgeeth, who is also the Ambassador of Mauritius.
PS Korir Sing’oei and the Kenyan delegation after submitting documents for Raila’s candidature in Addis Ababa on July 29, 2024. /KORIR SING’OEI
“Under the authority of the Government of Kenya and as per the Statutes and Rules of the African Union Commission, we have today formally submitted requisite documentation of Kenya’s nominee for the Chairmanship of African Union, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of Eastern Region, H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius,” said Sing’Oei.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on its part expressed its faith in party leader Raila’s candidature, stating “Submitted. In God we Trust”.
The Foreign Affairs PS was accompanied by Kenyan Ambassador to Ethiopia George Orina, Professor Makau Mutua, and Ambassador Elkanah Odembo. The delegation met Busgeeth at his office afterwards.
The State Department on its part revealed that Raila’s Pan-Africanist credentials were suitable enough for him to bid for the continental role.
“In this regard, Kenya has offered the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga for the position of AUC Chairperson. This decision is informed by Mr Odinga’s Pan-Africanist credentials, his suitability, his vast networks across Africa and his proven competence to lead AUC Africa’s premier continental organization,” stated Korir.
This comes a day after Odinga signed off his AUC Chair application documents at his residence in Karen, Nairobi.
The former Prime Minister on February 15, 2024, declared his interest in replacing current AUC chairperson Moussa Faki when his term ends in February 2025.
Odinga’s candidacy has so far been endorsed by over eight heads of state, including Kenya’s William Ruto, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
On April 26, Raila revealed his manifesto declaring what he intends to fulfil in the event he is elected African Union (AU) Commission chairperson, including reducing the burden Africans have in terms of travel between the 54 countries in the continent.
“It is regrettable that 60 years into independence, Africans have to fly to Europe to connect to certain parts of Africa and require multiple currencies and visas to access other African countries.
“Further to this, it is my hope that as chairman of the AUC, I will help the continent embark on long-deferred dreams including making River Nile navigable and connecting the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Victoria – Lake Tanganyika water bodies to facilitate efficient logistics in the interiors,” he announced in a series of posts on X.
He shared his vision for expanded cooperation on Pan-African policy priorities, and listed promises that he intends to fulfil should he clinch the top post.
These include a free trade regime and integration across the continent, removal of non-trade barriers, global cooperation, stability and free movement of people, infrastructure development, open skies and investment in energy and internet connectivity.
