Raila Hints At Shelving AU Post Bid To Vie For President In 2027

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Thursday, February 29 remarked that he would still be open to contest for President in 2027 even though he would end up securing a win in the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.

Raila was speaking during the opening of the Marani Vegetable Aggregation and Marketing Centre in Kisii where he indicated that it will be his choice to make whether to forgo his bid for the AUC seat and focus on vying for President for the sixth time.

This came a day after he stated that he would not retire from politics.

“If Kenyans will need me for any other job I'll be available, I will take a break from the AU and come deal with the job Kenyans have given me,” he stated.

Bird's eye view of the African Union headquarters. /QUARTZ

Raila has found himself under pressure to name his preferred presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, given that AU laws don't allow the chairman to take part in active politics.

On why he would abandon the lucrative post to engage in local politics, Raila revealed that he was still passionate about improving the livelihoods of Kenyans.

"I will come back to work for Kenyans because what we had said we would do I must deliver," he stated referring to his 2022 manifesto. 

Raila also wondered why Kenyans thought he would step back from local politics should he win the AUC chairman position as securing the post would require him to operate from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader stated that this would be a non-issue given that it would be easier for him to travel back and forth between Kenya and Ethiopia, thus allowing him enough time to engage in local politics.

The ODM leader's new revelation is set to rattle the Azimio camp with principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa eyeing the top seat themselves. Further, this would see him go toe to toe with President William Ruto again, who promised to back him for the continental role.

Meanwhile, proposed changes from AU, part of a draft aimed at reforming the election of senior leaders at the continental body's secretariat and making it more efficient, could put his chairperson bid in serious jeopardy.

AU permanent representative committee is seeking to bar member states that have previously held the chairperson and deputy chairperson seats from 2002 to date, from contesting in the upcoming elections at the next AU summit in 2025.

If the Heads of State and government adopt the proposal, Odinga's bid for the chairperson seat would come to an end because Kenya and Rwanda have previously held the deputy chairperson position.

Kenya had Erastus Mwencha, who was deputy chairperson from 2008-2017 and Rwanda had Patrick Kayumba Mazimhaka from 2003 to 2008.