Kisumu residents are following keenly as the African Union Commission (AUC) elections unfold in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with high hopes that Raila Odinga will clinch the prestigious continental position. The election, taking place during the 38th ordinary session of the AU Summit at Nelson Mandela Hall, is set to determine the successor of outgoing chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad.
Odinga, Kenya’s candidate, is up against Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. His candidacy has ignited excitement and optimism in Kisumu, his stronghold, where supporters gathered in various locations to watch the proceedings.
In Kondele, a large screen was mounted under the flyover at the roundabout, allowing residents to follow the event live. Many expressed their unwavering support for Odinga and their belief that he will emerge victorious.
“We are praying for our leader, Raila Odinga. That’s all we can offer at this moment as we are not voters. We hope that God sees him through,” said Mark Owiyi, a local resident.
Another supporter, Millicent Wahudu, praised President William Ruto for backing Odinga’s bid.
“The President has done well, and we truly appreciate his efforts. We see in the news every day how hard he is working to bring this position home,” she remarked.
Wahudu emphasized that regardless of the outcome, Ruto’s support for Odinga will always be appreciated by the lakeside city’s residents.
The election process involves 55 AU member states, each casting their votes in a secret ballot. To secure the position, a candidate must garner two-thirds of the votes, translating to at least 33 votes. The AU Executive Council has already asserted that it is East Africa’s turn to produce the next chairperson, making Odinga the front-runner.
The election will be conducted in two rounds. The first round, held on Saturday, will narrow down the race to two top candidates, who will then compete in a second round on Sunday, where the winner must secure the required two-thirds majority.
Maxwell Okello, another resident, expressed confidence that Odinga’s leadership will continue to inspire them regardless of the results.
“It’s still a win-win for us because we will still have Raila,” he said.
Meanwhile, the summit is being held under the theme ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.’ The AU has emphasized that reparations are not just about acknowledging the past but also about ensuring a future where justice and equality prevail for Africans globally.
As the election progresses, Kisumu residents remain hopeful that their leader will secure victory, bringing pride and recognition to Kenya on the continental stage.
