Raila Odinga Hosts US Ambassador Meg Whitman As He Intensifies Campaigns For His AU Bid

• Raila Odinga hosted US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, where they discussed various issues, including investment, floods in Kenya, and his AUC candidature
• Unlike previous tensions, Raila and Whitman appeared friendly during the meeting, with the ODM leader's wife, Mama Ida Odinga, also present
• Raila also highlighted the importance of US investments in Kenya and discussed the ongoing flood emergency and assistance efforts in the country

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga has intensified lobbying and campaigns for his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairman seat.

The ODM leader hosted US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman at his residence, adding that they discussed a myriad of issues.

Unlike when Raila threatened to initiate the process of recalling Whitman, the two leaders looked friendly as they took photos together.

Present at the meeting was Raila's partner, Mama Ida Odinga.

What did Raila Whitman talk about

In a statement on Friday, April 3, the former premiers revealed having a deep conversation with Whitman on matters affecting Kenya.

Apart from investment and the floods ravaging the country, Raila said his AU candidature was also on the agenda of the meeting.

"We hosted the US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman @USAmbKenya this morning. We discussed a range of issues including the flood emergency and assistance efforts in the country, US investments in Kenya, and my candidature for AUC chairmanship," he wrote.

Somalia forwards candidate for coveted AU Job

Earlier, Somalia's former minister for Foreign Affairs, Fawzia Adam, joined the race to succeed Moussa Faki as the AUC chair.

Whilst Raila has the support of the Kenyan government, Fawzia is being backed by the Federal Republic of Somalia government under President Hassan Mohamud.

If Fawzia's bid succeeds, she will become the second woman to head the African Union secretariat.

The bid comes two years after she vied for the presidency in Somalia; Mohamud won the vote in May 2022.

Dlamini-Zuma, a renowned South African anti-apartheid activist and former government minister, is the first woman to have been the chairperson of the AU Commission.

Zuma served in the post between 2012 and 2017; she was succeeded by Faki, whose tenure ends in 2025 after serving two terms.

Raila Odinga's candidature for AU Commission chairmanship

• Citing experience and commitment to championing the African continent's interests, Raila declared his bid for the job on February 15.
• His bid was endorsed by former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, who recognised the former prime minister's Pan-Africanism spirit.
• The AUC chairperson post falls vacant in 2025 following the lapse of Moussa Faki's second and last term.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.