- Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga showed his diplomatic skills in the African leadership debate, taking on experienced diplomats
- Raila faced Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar in Addis Ababa
- Hundreds of supporters gathered at Kamukunji Stadium in Nairobi to watch the debate on big screen television in a show of solidarity.
- Videos on social media showed the excitement of the crowd, every time Raila made a strong point
NAIROBI – The influence of the former Prime Minister of Raila Odinga in Kenyan politics is still stable, even if he leaves domestic politics for a while and follows the leadership of the continent.
Source: Twitter
Raila, who earlier this year announced his focus on the chair of the African Union Commission (AUC), demonstrated his diplomatic skills during the African leadership debate, popularly known as Mjadala Afrika.
What? How did Raila's supporters follow the Africa Debate?
On Friday night, December 13, Raila competed with two other experienced diplomats; Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
While the debate took place on the international stage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, its negative impact was felt strongly at home.
Hundreds of dedicated Raila supporters, many of them young and energetic, gathered at Nairobi's historic Kamukunji Stadium to watch the debate take place.
In an amazing show of solidarity, they hit the cold Nairobi night, decided to witness their icon explain his vision for the continent.
The videos circulating on social media captured a surprising scene.
Rows of plastic chairs lined the grounds, and energetic faces filled the big screen streaming the discussion.
The crowd erupted into cheers every time Raila made a compelling point, their pride and support palpable in the air.
What? What did Raila say in the Africa Debate?
As previously reported, the high-profile debate gave each of the three candidates a platform to explain their vision and priorities for the AUC Chair seat.
During the debate held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, each candidate was allocated four minutes to address questions posed by the panel.
At the beginning of the debate, each candidate was invited to introduce himself to the audience across the African continent.
Raila began by greeting Africans in Kiswahili, French, Arabic, and English to ensure that his message resonated with citizens across the continent.
He shared that he was born and raised in Kenya but said that his ancestors are believed to have come from Sudan.
The former Prime Minister lit up the mood during the debate, joking that he is a father of five and a husband to one woman. “if he knows.”
Raila boldly emphasized his extensive political journey, which encompasses his role as a public servant, MP, Prime Minister, and opposition leader at one time in Kenya.
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