Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga has announced that he plans to step back from active involvement in Kenyan politics if he secures the position of African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson next year.
During a conversation on Wednesday 21, November 2024 at the Nairobi Railways office, where he was hosted by Prime Cabinet Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Mr. Odinga made it clear that his focus would shift towards continental matters, leaving little room for engagement in the Kenyan political scene.
He reassured, however, that the political landscape in Kenya will continue to evolve in his absence.
“You know that I will begin working for the continent once I am elected in February next year. At the moment, I am involved in the campaigns, but that does not mean that Kenya will cease to exist,” said Mr. Odinga.
“I will not be very active in Kenyan politics henceforth as I shift my attention to the continental campaigns. It is a transitional phase from active participation in Kenyan politics to a focus on African continental politics,” he added.
The Opposition leader’s announcement comes as the government gears up to formally launch Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship next week.
Prime Cabinet Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who has voiced his support for Mr. Odinga, revealed that President William Ruto will officially kick off the former Prime Minister’s campaign for the 2025 AUC Chairmanship on Monday, August 27.
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“Next week, on August 27, 2024, President William Ruto will formally launch the candidacy of the Kenyan candidate for the AUC Chairmanship, Raila Odinga,” said Mudavadi.
“As you are aware, the government dispatched a high-level delegation led by Foreign Affairs PS Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, along with Raila’s strategy team. They officially submitted the application to the office of the legal counsel of the African Union through the Dean of the Eastern Region.”
Azimio leader Raila Odinga will be vying for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship against several formidable contenders, including Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, a late entrant from Mauritius, and another candidate from Madagascar.
If Mr. Odinga secures the position, he will succeed the current Chairperson, Moussa Faki, from Chad.
