Kenya is intensifying campaigns for Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the efforts are on track. Odinga continues to lobby West African leaders to gain their support.
On Tuesday, Odinga met Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar. They discussed his vision for a united and prosperous Africa. Earlier, he met Cote d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan. He plans to visit Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja next.
Odinga’s recent meetings include Gambian President Adama Barrow, Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo, and Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé. Last week, he met Benin’s Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari in Cotonou. His focus remains on strengthening support in West Africa.
Mudavadi highlighted Kenya’s strategic approach during an event marking 60 years of diplomacy. He shared details of his outreach in Angola to rally Great Lakes nations. President William Ruto has also been engaging various leaders to back Odinga.
Odinga has secured support from seven of the eight East African Community (EAC) member states. EAC Chair and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit led regional endorsements during a campaign launch in Nairobi. Leaders from Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda also pledged their support.
Odinga faces competition from Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Mauritius’ Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, and Madagascar’s Richard James Randriamandrato. While Odinga courts West Africa, Mudavadi is focusing on Southern Africa and the Great Lakes region. Together, they aim to secure votes across the continent.
