The National Intelligence Service (NIS) is working behind-the-scenes to steer former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's campaigns for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC), Nation.Africa can now reveal.
This strategic move underscores President William Ruto's intent to leverage government machinery and resources to ensure the success of Mr Odinga's campaign on the continental stage.
Nation.Africa has learned that the government has incorporated the Directorate of External Affairs at NIS led by Mr John Sambu in Mr Odinga’s campaigns to tap into the agency’s wide networks in Kenyan embassies across the continent.
NIS is to help provide necessary intelligence reports relevant for safeguarding the campaigns and sprucing up Mr Odinga’s image.
NIS Director of External Affairs John Sambu (right) with members of Raila Odinga’s AUC campaign secretariat led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei (second left), Prof Makau Mutua (left) and Mr Odinga’s wife Ida examine his vision statement for Africa ahead of the submission to the AU Headquarters.
Photo credit: Pool
The agency's involvement reflects the high stakes of securing the AUC chairpersonship, a position that could redefine Kenya’s influence on the continent.
Mr Sambu has been coopted into the campaign secretariat and has taken a lead role in the campaigns, working with his officers across the continent to provide real-time information necessary in the campaign drives.
Head of Mr Odinga’s campaign secretariat – Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei on Monday confirmed that Mr Sambu is a member of his team.
When asked by Nation.Africa whether the officer is a member of the secretariat, Dr Sing’oei affirmed; “He is a member.”
Mr Sambu, is tasked to lead Mr Odinga’s external team in the operations and report to NIS Director General Noordin Haji on the campaign updates.
The lead NIS agent in Mr Odinga’s campaign secretariat, Mr Sambu, has been seen attending various secretariat’s meetings. On July 29, he was part of the team that submitted Mr Odinga’s formal application for the AUC position at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He was in the company of Dr Sing’oei, Kenya’s former ambassador to the United States Elkanah Odembo, Prof Makau Mutua – all members of the campaign secretariat, and Kenya’s ambassador to Ethiopia George Orina among other officials.
Mr Sambu was also part of the team that worked on Mr Odinga’s vision statement for Africa alongside other members of the secretariat who also include Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.
Sources at Mr Odinga’s campaign secretariat intimated to Nation that NIS has taken a lead role in leveraging its intelligence networks to counter opposition and ensure a smooth campaign while helping Kenya safeguard its regional interests, particularly in matters of trade, security, and integration.
“With Raila as a key figure, Kenya would have direct influence over decisions affecting the continent, including in energy, trade corridors, and peace-building efforts, hence the keen interest the country’s security intelligence agency has in the campaigns,” the source said.
Drum up support for Raila's bid
The organ is said to be playing a crucial role in identifying allies within the African Union and among international partners who can advocate for Mr Odinga’s campaign.
“In fact NIS even appears to have overrun Ministry of Foreign Affairs in terms of the role they are playing in the campaigns,” another source said.
He noted that the agency “has been critical in gathering the relevant information and availing it to the candidate ahead of his visits to the foreign nations to drum up support for his bid.”
Prior to the Mjadala Afrika debate last week, Mr Odinga had crisscrossed West Africa and part of the Maghreb nations to drum up support for his bid.
The agency is also said to have taken a keen interest in working to counter any external interference that could undermine Kenya’s bid, especially given the highly competitive nature of African Union politics.
“A Kenyan at the helm of the AUC could strengthen Nairobi's voice in global forums, allowing the country to advocate more effectively for African interests hence the keen attention accorded the campaigns by the president.
“The NIS therefore plays a crucial role in identifying allies within the African Union and among international partners who can advocate for Raila’s campaign.”
NIS is an established State agency under Article 242 of the Constitution responsible for security intelligence and counter intelligence to enhance national security and performs any other functions prescribed by national legislation.
It also gathers ministerial intelligence at the request of government departments or agencies and provides necessary information vital for the state agencies.
NIS Director of External Affairs John Sambu (second left) when he accompanied members of Raila Odinga's AUC campaign secretariat led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and Elkanah Odembo (righ) to formally submit his candidacy at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on July 29, 2024.
Photo credit: Pool
During the unveiling of Mr Odinga at State House in Nairobi on August 27, President Ruto launched the secretariat, and announced that it would be led by Dr Sing’oei and Mr Odembo and “will include a diverse membership drawn from the five regions of the African Union.”
The move to tap into the services of the agency illustrates president Ruto’s determination to ensure Mr Odinga captures the regional post in the February 2025 elections.
Political analysts argue that Mr Odinga’s victory for the AUC post is critical for the Head of State, as it could cement their relationship ahead of his re-election campaigns for the 2027 poll.
Presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi says President Ruto is strategically supporting Mr Odinga’s AUC bid to pave the way for easier maneuvering in his re-election plans.
“Ruto knows that if Raila loses the AUC post it will adversely affect him politically. I do not see their relationship with Ruto continuing.
“So, it must be quite a hard task for Ruto because he will face hell on earth since Raila is holding him up amid serious opposition by Kenyans who feel he is running the country the wrong way,” said Mr Wanjigi.
He added that while the AUC contest could be challenging for Kenya due to a number of factors including geopolitical dynamics, “it will however, be Kenya’s pride if Raila wins.”
Political and governance expert Javas Bigambo says that Mr Odinga’s victory will be dependent on several determinants.
“These include religious factors, influence of development partners particularly American and European interests and how each candidate relates with other international leaders and Presidents,” says Mr Bigambo.
Further, he says, “how president Ruto relates with other African leaders - Kenya's diplomatic weight and her regional power and influence.”
Grasp of diplomatic and foreign affairs
Mr Bigambo argues that last week’s live debate of the AUC candidates’ Mr Odinga, Djibouti’s foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former Madagascar's foreign minister Richard James Randriamandrato “was only an opportune channel to have Africans acquainted with the candidates, their thought processes, experience, ability and ideologies.”
“Raila Odinga demonstrated a grasp of continent issues, history, and the interlink between the AU vision and the regional economic blocks for harmony and infrastructure development.
“Mahmoud Youssouf of Djibouti has a fine grasp of diplomatic and foreign affairs. Interestingly, the African Heads of State and Government will not vote for the chairman based on the televised interview performance. That only served useful for Africans and interested parties to familiarise themselves with the candidates.”
Mr Odinga’s vision for Africa is hinged on eight priority and strategy points to address what he refers to as the most pressing challenges facing the continent.
They include; economic transformation, enhancing Intra-African trade, financial independence, gender equity and equality, agricultural transformation and climate action. Others are; continental integration, as well as peace and security.
