Raila Odinga Cleared to be EAC Candidate for AUC Chair

The African Union Executive Council has today unanimously decided that the Eastern Africa region will produce the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) for the elections that are set to take place in February 2025. This clears the way for Kenya to submit Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga as its candidate for the AU position.

"This is a major breakthrough for the Eastern Africa region to present candidates for the position of Chairperson of the AUC," said Musalia Mudavadi

The move follows the AU's procedures which rotate the chairpersonship among the Africa regions. With Eastern Africa's turn coming up, the Northern Africa region will field candidates for the Deputy Chair, while the Central, Southern and Western regions will vie for the six commissioner positions.

"It is now clear that Raila Odinga will be in the race for the AU Commission Chairperson," stated Mudavadi. "There are no more technical or legal hurdles preventing Kenya from submitting its candidate."

Kenya will now work to build consensus around Odinga's candidacy within the 14-member Eastern Africa region. Broad continental support will also be sought in the lead-up to the February 2025 elections.