President William Ruto on Thursday expressed confidence that all East African presidents would back former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Speaking in Siaya County during the Piny Luo Cultural Festival, Ruto emphasized that Odinga’s bid had garnered support from East African Community (EAC) leaders, making it a regional initiative rather than solely a Kenyan one.
“Raila Odinga is not just a candidate for Kenya; he is a candidate for East Africa,” Ruto stated. “Before announcing his candidature for the African Union, we consulted extensively with regional leaders, including President Museveni, and confirmed that he has the right credentials to champion unity and progress across Africa.”
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, present at the festival, also endorsed Odinga’s bid. He presented a historic photograph from June 3, 1963, taken during a meeting of East African leaders, including Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania.
“This picture symbolizes the unity we’ve always sought in East Africa. I support Raila’s candidature for the African Union chairmanship. While he will help with mobilization and strategy, the real power lies with us, the heads of state,” Museveni remarked.
Ruto described Odinga’s candidature as a “win-win” for Kenya, underscoring the importance of unity in achieving national and regional goals. He noted that a campaign team had been formed to rally support for Odinga from other African nations.
“This endorsement is about unity, not division. In Kenya, whether in government or opposition, we all have a shared responsibility to build a better future for our nation and continent,” Ruto said.
Odinga expressed gratitude to Museveni and Ruto for their backing, pledging to deepen regional integration within the East African Community if successful.
“I am deeply honored by the support from President Museveni and President Ruto. Together, we can strengthen Africa’s position on the global stage,” Odinga said.
Ruto concluded by reiterating his commitment to fostering inclusivity in Kenya, emphasizing that the bid for the AUC chairmanship reflects Kenya’s broader vision of unity and progress for all citizens.
