Kenya’s African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship candidate Raila Odinga has narrated how his wife Ida Odinga convinced him to attend the interdenominational prayer service that was organized for him by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Women’s Chapter at the Bomas of Kenya.
The ODM Women’s Chapter held the prayer event on Monday, February 10, 2025, to pray for Raila’s win at the upcoming AUC elections scheduled for Saturday, February 15.
Speaking at the event, Raila said that he had not planned to grace the prayers, since he had another appointment in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Raila on Ida’s commitment
However, he acknowledged that he had had been briefed about the prayer event, which he was not supposed to attend but after his wife learnt about the postponement of Raila’s Mogadishu appointment, she dragged him to the Bomas event.
The former Prime Minister stated that he tried to avoid accompanying Ida to the event, but she insisted that the prayers were for him and that he must physically attend.
“Haikuwa mimi nakuja hapa. Niliambiwa kuna maombi, lakini maombi bila mimi. Leo hii kwanza mimi nilikuwa na appointment kule Mogadishu, lakini kwa bahati mbaya au nzuri, tukahairisha. Sasa asubuhi mama ananiambia ati mimi nakuja kwa maombi. Nilimwambia hiyo maombi ni yenu, akasema hapana, tunakuja kuombea wewe na mpaka wewe uwe pale. Sasa nimekuja kama mahabusu ya mama. Amenipiga mateke, akapiga mimi pingu akasema sharti nifike hapa leo na nimefika,” Raila said.
He went ahead to thank the women for planning special prayers for him.
“Nataka kushukuru sana wamama kwa kuamua kuniombea mimi siku ya leo,” he said.
A Kakamega church on Sunday, February 9, 2025, held a similar event in preparation for the main prayer service that was held at Bomas today.
The prayers were graced by ODM party’s top leadership including national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, ODM Deputy Party Leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Lurambi MP Titus Khamala.
AUC election programme
The AU Executive Council, comprising foreign ministers from member states, will elect and appoint the commissioners who will oversee various portfolios within the AU Commission in the first phase which will take place between February 12-13, 2025.
However, in the second phase, candidates vying for top leadership positions including AUC chairperson and deputy chairpersons will be voted.
“The elections of the African Union Commission will be conducted as follows: The Executive Council elects and appoints the commissioners during their session on 12-13 February 2025.
“The Assembly of Heads of State and Government elects and appoints the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson during their session on 15-16 February 2025, “AUC announced.
