Ruto to officially unveil Raila’s AUC candidacy
President William Ruto will today formally launch Kenya’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.
Kenya is fronting opposition leader Raila Odinga for the seat.
He is set to battle it out with four other candidates in an election slated for February 2025.
The event will be held at State House, Nairobi.
At least five Heads of State are expected in Nairobi on Tuesday for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s unveiling as the African Union Commission chairperson candidate.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura on Monday night confirmed that several Heads of State will be in Nairobi for the event but did not give any further details.
“Tomorrow we are launching the bid of Raila Odinga to be the AUC chair at State House and the President of the Republic of Kenya is a champion for reforms at the AU. He took over from Paul Kagame and you saw people coming here in droves. We’ll have several presidents tomorrow for example,” he said.
Reports say that at least five Heads of State from five East African Community (EAC) countries are expected to be present for the unveiling.
The EAC has eight member countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir arrived in Nairobi on Monday evening.
Salva Kiir is the current chairperson of the East African Community
He was received by Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
“Receiving South Sudan President H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, ahead of the Launch of Kenya’s Candidature for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Tuesday, August 27, 2024,” the CS said on X.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is also in Kenya and is expected to attend the unveiling.
He is among the people touting for Raila to take up the role.
Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki of Chad whose second term comes to an end.
The election will held in early 2025.
Raila is facing competition from Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar).
