President William Ruto on Friday, February 14 led an eleventh-hour campaign to rally African leaders behind former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
The behind-the-scenes maneuvres, which saw high-level engagements with key African leaders, underscored Nairobi’s determination to ensure the Azimio leader clinches the influential continental post.
The lobbying efforts, which unfolded in the final stretch before the AU decision on Saturday, led by President Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Mr Odinga, highlighted Kenya’s strategic diplomacy in securing the coveted continental role.
Raila has lunch with leaders who travelled to Addis to support him
The high-stakes lobbying mission saw Kenya engage in backroom deals, alliances, and last-minute overtures to sway key AU member states in favor of the veteran opposition leader, just a day after the Southern African Development Authority (Sadc) Secretariat encouraged its 16-member states to support Madagascar candidate Richard James Randriamandrato, jolting Mr Odinga’s possible influence.
Mr Odinga faces Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Randriamandrato in the high-stakes polls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday February 15.
President Ruto had a flurry of activity on the sidelines of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, meeting several Heads of State and Government in a bid to secure their support.
Dr Ruto held talks with Presidents Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), host Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Brice Nguema (Gabon), Alassane Dramane Ouattara (Cote d’Ivoire), Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Algeria), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia) and Dharam Gokhool (Mauritius).
The meetings, even though styled as bilateral, offered an opportunity for President Ruto to drum up support for Mr Odinga.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed that the team, led by President Ruto, had been wooing other African leaders in the Sadc region to secure votes.
“We have done what we could and now the months of campaigning are now reduced to 24 hours... The candidate in person has been to over 30 countries, engaging at the highest level possible. The president and the Prime Cabinet Secretary have been making calls since yesterday and holding strategic meetings," Dr Sing’oei said.
He downplayed a letter drafted by Sadc Secretariat’s Executive Secretary Elias M. Magosi, urging member states to back Mr Randriamandrato.
"If you look at the letter, it's written by the Sadc secretary-general, a bureaucrat. The letter is dated February 12, merely five days before the elections," he said, adding that; “it is addressed to foreign Ministers, and introduces the candidate as if nobody knows him.”
He added: “It then says we don't have time to hold a ministerial summit to endorse this decision, this means that the decision will not be endorsed at the heads of state level, hence not a letter that endorses the Madagascar candidate.”
Dr Sing’oei said Mr Odinga’s camp did not expect the letter to have any bearing in Saturday’s election since “we already have quite some assurances from a number of Sadc countries of their support."
As the deadline for submission loomed, Nairobi intensified its outreach, using diplomatic channels and engaging influential AU figures.
Insiders said Kenya was banking on Mr Odinga’s long-standing Pan-African credentials, with efforts made to highlight his experience and vision for the AU’s future.
While the final outcome remains uncertain, Kenya’s vigorous push for Mr Odinga’s bid has demonstrated the country’s growing diplomatic assertiveness on the continental stage.
Whether successful or not, the lobbying underscores a rare show of unity between President Ruto and Mr Odinga, marking a significant moment in Kenya’s political landscape.
Mr Mudavadi criticised some Kenyan leaders he accused of wishing Mr Odinga a loss expecting that he would heed to their desires to ‘destabilise’ the state.
“You know, there are some people who have a knack for negative energy. You know, they always want to see the negative in a process like this. And I want to say that on a matter that is so important like this, it is really unfortunate to try and bring your local politics to Addis or to any other forum internationally, because the elections in Kenya will be held in 2027,” Mr Mudavadi said.
He went on: “So all this negative energy, to me, is of no value and is of no consequence. The outcome, either way, does not affect the politics of the country because we still have our calendar, and our calendar is 2027 is when the elections are there.”
On Friday February 14, the Kenyan delegation to Addis Ababa hosted Mr Odinga for lunch ahead of Saturday’s vote.
It was pomp and jubilation as the team comprising governors, MPs, MCAs and private citizens from across the political divide hosted Mr Odinga for a meal at a popular restaurant in Addis.
The delegation, which was led by acting ODM Party Leader and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, sang patriotic songs and chanted slogans in praise of Mr Odinga.
Other leaders present at the luncheon included ODM deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir and Godfrey Osotsi, National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed among a host of MPs.
