Raila Odinga Meets AUC Chair Moussa Faki As Succession Race Heats Up

• Azimio leader Raila Odinga announced his interest in the position of African Union Commission chairman (AUC ) on Thursday, February 15
• On Thursday, May 9, he met with the current Chairman Moussa Faki, during the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit at KICC
• The former premier recently articulated his plan to address Africa's challenges upon assuming the role of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson

Opposition leader Raila Odinga met with AUC Chair Moussa Faki at the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Thursday, May 9.

The meeting came at the time Raila is seeking support to succeed Faki as the next AUC chairperson. He declared his interest in the coveted position on Thursday, February 15.

In a photograph posted on his X account (formerly Twitter), Raila was seen exchanging pleasantries with Faki, whose term ends in January 2025.

Who else was at the summit?

Africa's heads of state that were present at the event included Central African Republic president Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera from Malawi, Hakainde Hichilema from Zambia, Emmerson Mnangagwa from Zimbabwe, Nangolo Mbumba from Namibia and Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca.

President William Ruto was also in attendance at the event.

Europe Diplomats support Raila's AUC chair bid

Raila Odinga held a consultative meeting on Thursday, April 25, in Nairobi with European diplomats to discuss global issues and his bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.

Raila separately met with the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya, Gunnar Andreas Holm, and Australia's High Commissioner Jenny Da Rin at his Karen home.

According to the statement, the two diplomats backed Raila's AUC bid and the need to strengthen AU for development in Africa.

What is Raila's vision for Africa

Earlier, on April 27, Raila articulated his plan to address Africa's challenges upon assuming the role of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

Through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Raila underscored his plan to ensure the free movement of people, goods and services within the African continent.

He highlighted the challenges in the continent's transportation sector, noting that Africans must travel to Europe to reach certain regions within Africa.

He also hinted at doing away with the multiple currencies and visas needed to access other African nations.

What else you need to know about Raila's AUC bid

Ruto vowed to back the former prime minister's bid to succeed Moussa Faki at the helm of the AUC by March 2025.

Raila Odinga shared a list of African presidents supporting his bid.

ODM leader Raila Odinga's harsh attack on President William Ruto's administration elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans.