Naema Celestine 
| Leah Nelima |
“As part of its concerted efforts to back Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s candidacy for chair of the African Union Commission, the government has established a sophisticated secretariat.
All of Raila’s campaign’s daily coordination will fall within the purview of the Secretariat.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi declared the secretariat will include of both Raila’s men and senior government bureaucrats during a joint briefing with Raila on Wednesday.
Today I want to update the nation on Kenyan candidacy for the AUC, let me thank Raila for the fruitful meeting and discussions we have had this morning,” he stated.
“It (the secretariat) will prepare all of the candidate’s briefs, develop digital campaign materials, and get everything ready for the public debate that will be aired live for African citizens,” stated Mudavadi.
The team’s first task will be to compile the application materials in order to submit them before the August 6 deadline, the identity of which has not yet been revealed.
“The team is firming up preparatory and application documents together with requisite translations of the resume into six languages; Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, English and Kiswahili.”
The Star was informed by a source at the PCS office who attended the morning meeting that the secretariat will be revealed shortly after each side presents its members to the team.
Our source further mentioned that Raila and President William Ruto will be present at the secretariat’s debut.
Nevertheless, the source omitted the date.
It was the first time the government and Raila’s team had met and decided on the roadmap. Before the secretariat is revealed, the two teams were told to collaborate, the insider informed the Star.
Raila is a visionary leader with a chance to win the seat and advance the African Union, according to Mudavadi.
“We have a visionary leader to fire up the African Union to greater levels,” Mudavadi stated.
He claimed that Raila upholds the values that the continent holds dear, such as the spirit of Pan Africanism.
“We have no doubt that the candidate will pursue the vision,” stated Mudavadi.
Speaking at the joint briefing held at Mudavadi’s office, Raila praised the backing he has received from the government for his candidacy.
The head of ODM expressed encouragement at the amount of high-ranking government officials who had offered to join the expedition.
“This is based on the knowledge that Kenya, not any particular political party, is involved in this. “Thank you for offering your support,” he remarked.
“I would like to stress once more that I am running for a job in Africa, not in the Republic of Kenyan government.”
He mentioned that they had shared notes about the current status of the offer during their meeting with Mudavadi.
“We discussed and exchanged notes regarding the government’s and my side’s preparations, as well as the necessary next steps,” he stated.
He claimed that Mudavadi briefed him on the current state of affairs, as well as the extent of government commitment and readiness.
“I told the team that I’m doing everything I can to use my connections and experience on my own,” he stated.
Raila has the necessary qualifications, according to Mudavadi, to lead the AU, adding that it is not about local politics.
“We agreed since Raila is a Kenyan and competent. This is about national interests, not local politics,” he declared.
Two additional candidates from the Eastern block are running against Raila.
Mahmoud Youssouf, the minister of foreign affairs for Djibouti, and Fawzia Yusuf, the former deputy prime minister of Somalia and current member of the Federal Parliament, are the two.
When current AU Chairperson Chad’s Moussa Faki steps down in February 2025 after serving two terms, elections will be held to select the organization’s new leader.
According to the surveys, Northern Africa will be in front of the vice chairman, with the chairmanship reserved for Eastern Africa
