Video: Funny Moment At State House As Olusegun Obasanjo Kicks Away Step Board Brought For Him

• Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo was among the dignitaries witnessing the launch of Raila Odinga's African Union Commission chairmanship bid at State House Nairobi
• The veteran African leader caused a hilarious scene at the high-profile event after kicking away a step board mounted to enhance his height as he gave his speech
• Obasanjo said he was not as short as the event coordinator presumed to bring the step board for him, this cracking up the audience

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

Nairobi - Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo caused a moment of laughter after he seemed to defy an act of help extended to him at the state house.

The veteran leader was among the dignitaries gathered at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, August 27, to witness the unveiling of Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

How Obasanjo reacted after being offered help

Obasanjo made it to the podium -where he was to give his speech- at the invitation of President William Ruto, the host leader.

To make it easy for him to address the packed audience, the event coordinators mounted a step board for him, perhaps due to height challenges.

But exuding confidence in his height, Obasanjo strived to remove the board, cracking up the audience which had all the while been watching the brief display in silence.

"I am not as short as you think I am," he said.

Obasanjo was the first one to bless Raila's bid when he announced it earlier this year.

Presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), and Salva Kiir (South Sudan) were present the official launch.

The next AUC chairperson is set to come from East Africa following a decision by the AU Executive Council.

Countries from Northern Africa will produce the deputy chairperson, with the remainder regions; Central, Southern and Western Africa producing the six commissioners.

The Kenyan candidate will need support either by consensus or at least a two-thirds majority vote by member states represented by their heads.

Nairobi has charged itself with selling Raila's bid, allocating resources to crisscross the continent to court support from the African heads of state who constitute the General Assembly which will take the vote in February next year.

Raila will need support either by consensus or at least a two-thirds majority vote by member states represented by their heads.

Which African presidents are supporting Raila?

Besides Kenya, other countries whose heads have declared their support for Raila are the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Burundi, Seychelles, Ghana, South Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Algeria, and Congo.

He recently announced ditching the local politics to focus on the bid.

While at the AUC, Raila would observe the code of conduct for the chairmanship, where 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.

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