Road to Addis Ababa: How Ruto came to support Raila’s AUC bid
In 2022, towards the general elections, President William Ruto (then deputy president) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were engaged in a battle of titans and they flexed muscles for the country’s top seat.
There was a bitter exchange, with Kenyans predicting that the one-time political allies would never see eye to eye. Worse still, the battle saw them separated by well over 200,000 votes with Ruto emerging the winner, leading to another tussle in the Supreme Court.
With the fate sealed, Ruto was sworn in as the president while Raila took on the opposition role. In several instances in 2023, Raila and his ally Kalonzo Musyoka led anti-government protests against government policies, including the Finance Bill 2023.
With both executing their roles, it was certain that there was no turning point for the two politicians.
Eying AUC chairmanship
On February 15, 2024, Raila announced that he was eying the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, signalling his probable exit from local politics.
“Should the leadership of Africa want my services I am ready and offer myself to be of service to this continent. I’m ready yes to go for the chairmanship of the African Union. As a Pan-Afrcaninst I believe strongly that Africa is playing in the league that it should not play. That Africa deserves better,” he noted.
“This is something we need to reverse and it can only be reversed if we as a continent marshal all our resources for the faster socio-economic growth of our continent.”
Ruto’s backing
However, to get to the top seat, Raila needed the backing of the government, and not just backing, but an endorsement and support from President William Ruto, who had been his political nemesis for over 10 years. No one expected that he could get such a backing.
In what looked like a surprise move, on February 26, 2024, Ruto and Raila flew to Uganda and met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and held discussions on Raila’s interest on the seat.
Almost immediately after the meeting, Raila began shuttle diplomacies bankrolled by the Kenya Kwanza administration, visiting a number of African countries to seek their support.
On July 5, 2024, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi unveiled the government’s campaign roadmap for Raila in his AUC chairmanship bid, which included hs secretariat led by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei.
In an event led by Ruto on August 27, 2024, Kenya formally announced that Raila Odinga would be vying for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Ruto presided over the event that was marked by robust endorsement by East African Partner States reflecting the broad regional and continental support for Raila’s bid.
The formal announcement was witnessed by among others, the Chairperson of the East African Community, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Presidents Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, and Salva Kiir of South Sudan. Former presidents including Dr. Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Mr. Oluseegun Obasanjo of Nigeria were in attendance.
Speaking during the event, Ruto hailed Raila’s profound comprehension of global and African affairs while exhibiting a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Raila promised that if elected, he would transform the African Union into a people-centred organization through collaborations with all leaders to ensure that the vision and priorities of the community were aligned.
“With your assistance, I will have the opportunity to serve Africa, the cradle of humanity. My heart is prepared and my hands are steady. I was created in East Africa for Africa,” Raila said.
Ruto campaigns for Raila
On December 7, 2024, Ruto called on the East African Community (EAC) to jointly continue supporting Raila’s candidacy for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC).
The President said Raila’s vast experience, dedication to pan-African ideals and commitment to fostering integration make him an excellent candidate to lead the African Union Commission.
He expressed confidence that Raila’s leadership would give the region and continent a stronger voice.
Consequently, he explained, Raila would enable the EAC to champion its shared priorities, protect its interests and accelerate Africa’s development agenda.
“I call upon all EAC Partner States to rally behind his candidacy. A united East Africa supporting his bid will not only demonstrate our collective resolve, but also affirm our commitment to shaping the future of our continent,” Ruto said.
Raila, who has previously served as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, has garnered endorsements from numerous African leaders and regional blocs.
These endorsements include leaders from Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Togo, Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi.
Additionally, leaders from Comoros, Tanzania, Uganda, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Seychelles, Mauritius, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, South Sudan, and Eritrea have also expressed their support.
AUC elections
The AUC chairperson election features three contenders: Kenya’s Raila Odinga, Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato.
The African Union has established a two-phase election process, with the initial phase involving the election of commissioners by the AU Executive Council.
The decisive vote for the chairperson position will take place during the second phase on February 15-16, 2025, when the Assembly of Heads of State and Government convenes.
