I’m now international: Raila says he’s shifting from Kenyan to regional politics
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during a presser at Railways Nairobi on August 21, 2024, following a closed-door meeting regarding his candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Wednesday that he is transitioning from Kenyan to continental politics in his bid to chair the African Union Commission (AUC), signalling his possible exit from active local politics.
He said he will no longer be very active locally as he focusses his attention on the continent.
Speaking during a second joint press briefing with Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi at his Railway office in Nairobi, Mr Odinga said it was all systems go for his campaigns after he formally filed his candidacy.
"I will start working with the continent as soon as I'm elected...that will be in February next year," he said.
"At the moment I am involved in the campaign but that doesn't mean Kenya ceases to exist," Mr Odinga added.
He went on: "I will not be very active in Kenyan politics from now on because I will continue to focus on the continental campaign. But it is a transitional period from active participation in Kenyan politics to the African continental politics," he said.
President William Ruto will officially unveil the former Prime Minister as the country's candidate for the chairmanship of AUC next week on Tuesday August 27, marking the official launch of his campaigns across the continent.
PCS Mudavadi, who is also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, revealed that Dr Ruto will present a formal roadmap for the campaigns.
"Fellow Kenyans, as a nation, we have always come together to stand behind our own, whether on the track, on the field or on the world stage. Just as we cheered our athletes at the recent Olympics, let us give Raila our full support as he flies the Kenyan flag high," Mr Mudavadi said.
