BFFs: Ruto and Raila share a ride as they are driven to AU headquarters
In a rare display of political camaraderie, President William Ruto and African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson candidate Raila Odinga shared a ride to the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa on Saturday, February 15, 2025, just hours before the crucial AUC election at the 38th African Union Summit.
The moment, captured in a video shared by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale, showed the two leaders exiting a hotel in Ethiopia’s capital, their entourages flanking them as they awaited their motorcade.
“Stepping out. In God we Trust #Raila4AUC,” Etale captioned the video.
Ruto, appearing eager to share a vehicle with Raila, was seen gesturing repeatedly, directing the opposition leader toward a sleek black Audi adorned with the country’s national flag and a custom license plate reading ‘Kenya’.
As the pair settled into the backseat, Ruto on the right and Raila on the left, the symbolic nature of their alliance was hard to ignore.
Just months ago, the notion of these two political titans riding together would have seemed improbable.
But with Raila vying for the AU’s top leadership position, the Kenyan government has thrown its full weight behind his candidacy, marking an unprecedented shift in relations between the longtime rivals.
A calculated alliance
Ruto’s administration officially launched Raila’s bid at State House Nairobi on August 27, 2024, in a high-profile event attended by six heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) – Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda – all of whom pledged their support.
Since then, both Ruto and Raila have been crisscrossing the continent, securing endorsements from other African leaders.
Ruto’s enthusiastic backing of Raila is widely viewed as a strategic manoeuvre.
By championing his longtime opponent for the continental role, Ruto not only bolsters Kenya’s influence within the AU but also potentially neutralizes a formidable rival in the 2027 presidential race.
If successful in securing the AUC chairmanship, Raila would be obligated to serve a four-year term, effectively sidelining him from Kenya’s next election cycle.
Political analysts suggest the move could pave the way for Ruto’s re-election, particularly if Raila reciprocates by endorsing him.
With Raila’s stronghold in Nyanza, Western, Nairobi and the Coast, such an endorsement could deliver a landslide victory for Ruto in 2027.
AU politics and Kenya’s stake
Beyond domestic considerations, Kenya has positioned itself as a power broker within the AU.
The country’s aggressive diplomatic push for Raila underscores Ruto’s commitment to expanding Kenya’s footprint in continental affairs.
Winning the AUC chairmanship would elevate Kenya’s stature, enabling it to influence key policies on trade, security, and governance across Africa.
With the AU elections set for today, all eyes are on Addis Ababa. Whether Baba clinches the seat or not, the sight of Ruto and Raila side by side – once fierce adversaries, now political allies – marks a significant moment in Kenya’s ever-evolving political landscape.
