Government Disowns Efforts To Hold Fundraiser For Raila Odinga's AUC Chairmanship Bid

• The Kenyan government charged itself with campaigning for Raila Odinga as he seeks to become the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairman
• Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei disowned the efforts by private groupings to carry out a funds drive to raise monies to facilitate Raila
• Raila and three other candidates will be facing off with each other in early 2025 in the contest to succeed Moussa Faki, whose tenure in Addis Ababa will be ending soon

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei has said the government is not involved in a funds drive organised by a group supporting Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

Who wants to fundraise for Raila for his AUC bid?

Dubbed Friends of Baba (FOBA), the group scheduled the fundraiser on September 18 at Nairobi's Serena Hotel, purportedly to mobilise resources for Raila's campaign for the continental job.

FOBA said it would bring on board leaders and dignitaries from across the continent to help advance the former prime minister's bid.

Sing'oei, who sits in the secretariat running Raila's campaign, disowned the initiative saying it is not blessed by the government.

"We disassociate the Secretariat of the Campaign of H.E. Raila Odinga from this fundraising effort." he said via X.

How Kenya is helping Raila in his AUC bid

It is not lost that the Kenyan government has tasked itself with taking care of Raila's campaign logistics.

The state established a secretariat to spearhead the campaigns across the continent.

Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi is on record affirming the government's commitment to ensuring Raila's success in securing the prestigious position.

The secretariat was tasked with preparing all the briefs for use by Raila, developing campaign materials, including digital presence, and preparing for the public debate that will be broadcast live for African citizens.

Sing'oei and Ambassador Elkana Odembo are among the top brass of the secretariat.

Other members of the campaign team are Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, Professor Makau Mutua, Ambassador Anthony Okara, and former Nyeri deputy governor Caroline Karugu.

Inside the AU secretariat

The AUC is composed of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and commissioners, plus staff.

The Assembly, which comprises heads of state and government, elects the chairperson and their deputy.

The Executive Council elects the commissioners, who are appointed by the Assembly.

The Commission members’ terms are for four years, renewable once.

Raila, who served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development for five years between 2018 and 2023, will need support either by consensus or at least a two-thirds majority vote by member states represented by their heads.

Should he win, Raila will observe the code of conduct for the chairmanship, which states that the office holder ought to take a back seat in their country's politics and, at the same time, be neutral in the African socio-political standings.

The Kenyan candidate will face Djibouti Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, former Madagascar Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato and Mauritius's Anil Gayan.