The Kenyan government has distanced itself from a fundraiser scheduled for September 18 aimed at supporting Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. The event, organized by a group known as “Friends of Baba (Foba),” is set to take place at a Nairobi hotel. The fundraiser aims to rally financial support for Odinga’s candidacy through a dinner described as “an evening with Raila Odinga,” where attendees will meet leaders and dignitaries from across Africa.
An invitation card for the event revealed that the gathering would celebrate Odinga’s leadership and vision for the future of Africa. It also provided a bank account for donations, suggesting a robust financial mobilization effort by Foba. The group emphasized its intention to support Odinga’s journey towards becoming the next AUC chair.
However, the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, quickly moved to clarify that the government is not affiliated with the fundraising event. Sing’oei explicitly stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the official campaign secretariat for Odinga’s AUC bid is not involved in the fundraiser organized by Foba. He underscored that Odinga’s campaign is being solely championed by the government through a structured campaign secretariat.
President William Ruto formally launched Odinga’s campaign secretariat on August 27, 2024, at State House, Nairobi, and appointed Sing’oei to lead the team. The secretariat comprises seasoned diplomats and strategists representing different regions of the African continent, aimed at garnering widespread support for Odinga’s bid. The team is co-chaired by Elkanah Odembo, a former Kenyan ambassador to the US, and includes prominent figures such as Prof. Makau Mutua, former Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, former IGAD executive secretary Mahboub Maalim, and Ambassador Anthony Okara.
President Ruto expressed Kenya’s full backing for Odinga’s candidacy, highlighting his vision and leadership as pivotal for the continent. “Kenya endorses his candidacy unreservedly, and we commit wholeheartedly to supporting his candidature, his vision, and his leadership,” Ruto stated during the unveiling of the campaign secretariat.
The upcoming election for the AUC chair is scheduled for February 2025, where Odinga will compete to succeed the current chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad. The race is considered a high-stakes contest, with Odinga’s bid seen as East Africa’s strongest opportunity to secure the position, given the historical representation of other regions in past AUC leadership.
Odinga faces formidable competition from other prominent candidates, including Anil Gayan, former Foreign Minister of Mauritius; Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Foreign Minister of Djibouti; and Richard Randriamandrato, former Foreign Minister of Madagascar. Notably, Somalia’s Fawzia Yusuf Adam and Vincent Meriton of Seychelles have withdrawn from the race, potentially consolidating the contest among the remaining candidates.
The fundraiser controversy highlights the complexities surrounding Odinga’s campaign, as various groups seek to support his bid outside of the official government-led efforts. The disassociation statement from Sing’oei underscores the government’s intent to maintain control over the campaign narrative and financial channels, ensuring that Odinga’s bid remains streamlined and aligned with the official secretariat’s strategy.
As the AUC election date approaches, the Kenyan government and Odinga’s campaign secretariat are expected to intensify their diplomatic outreach across the continent, leveraging regional alliances and Odinga’s longstanding political stature to secure the chairmanship. The focus will likely remain on building a cohesive and unified campaign that reflects Odinga’s vision for Africa’s future, while navigating the complex political landscape of the African Union’s electoral process.
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