With the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections scheduled for February 15 and 16, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Aden Duale, has expressed strong confidence in Raila Odinga’s chances of securing the coveted seat. Duale attributes Odinga’s anticipated victory to the aggressive campaign led by President William Ruto and the extensive diplomatic outreach undertaken by the former Prime Minister.
Duale emphasized that President Ruto has made an unparalleled investment in Raila’s campaign, rallying support from key African leaders. He noted that Odinga has personally reached out to at least 40 Heads of State and government, a move that has given him an edge over his competitors.
“The kind of campaign President William Ruto has done for our candidate is significant. This is a critical office for Kenya and Africa as a whole. The former Prime Minister is going to win that seat. We have 49 people voting, and we already know how many will vote for him. He needs 32 votes to win,” Duale said in an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday.
He further stated that nine African Heads of State recently visited Kenya, and all confirmed their support for Odinga’s bid. This, he argues, is a testament to the solid backing the former Prime Minister has garnered across the continent.
The AUC chairperson race pits Raila Odinga against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. The three candidates squared off in a televised debate on December 13, 2024, each outlining their vision for the African Union and their strategies for implementing the AU Mandate and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
While Odinga enjoys strong backing from Kenya and other African nations, his critics remain skeptical. Some argue that his departure from Kenyan politics could significantly alter the country’s political landscape. Duale, however, dismissed these concerns, stating that some leaders fear losing their political relevance should Raila no longer be available as a political contender.
“I know there are many people who don’t want Raila Odinga to leave local politics; they always use him as a guinea pig. Without Raila Odinga, there are people whose careers will come to an end,” Duale remarked.
The AU has outlined that the elections will take place in three rounds, following the election of six commissioners on February 12-13. As the continent awaits the results, Kenya remains optimistic that its candidate, backed by an intense diplomatic campaign, will emerge victorious.
