As the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship elections reach their final stage, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, rallying support for his bid.
A significant number of Kenyan leaders and government officials have joined him in the Ethiopian capital, demonstrating solidarity and patriotism.
Among the notable figures accompanying Raila are Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji. Haji’s presence has sparked speculation, with reports suggesting that security-related discussions could be taking place on the sidelines of the AU summit.
A large contingent of lawmakers has also traveled to Addis Ababa, drawing mixed reactions from Kenyans. Concerns have been raised about the funding of these trips, especially with reports indicating that nearly 40 Members of Parliament (MPs) covered their own expenses. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula clarified that only four MPs were officially sponsored by Parliament due to their committee roles.
Several high-profile MPs have been spotted in Addis, including Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor (Jalang’o), Dagoretti MP Beatrice Elachi, and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo. Others include Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, Bahati MP Irene Njoki, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, and Nyando MP Jared Okello.
Also present are Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Belgut MP Nelson Koech, Makadara MP George Aladwa, Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek, Awendo MP Walter Owino, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, and Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were.
Several governors have also traveled to Ethiopia, including Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma), and Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado). Nyong’o and Wanga attended in their capacities as interim party leader and national chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), respectively.
The Senate is also well represented, with Majority Leader Aaron Cheruyoit, Godfrey Osotsi, and nominated Senator Karen Nyamu among those seen in Addis.
The delegation is led by Prime CS Mudavadi and includes Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, senior economic advisor Moses Kuria, and former Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria. ODM Youth Wing Member Kasmuel McOure has also been spotted in attendance.
With the cost of travel and accommodation in Addis Ababa being significant—Kenya Airways return tickets priced at approximately Ksh175,000 and five-star hotel bookings upwards of Ksh30,000 per night—the scale of the Kenyan presence has drawn attention.
The AUC chair election is set to take place today, with Raila facing off against Djibouti’s Mohamed Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. Heads of state and government representatives from AU member states will cast their votes through a secret ballot to determine the next AUC chairperson.
