Africa deserves the best, Gachagua says on Raila's AUC bid
Opposition leader Raila Odinga and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has thrown his weight behind Kenya's candidate for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC), Raila Odinga, ahead of crucial vote scheduled for Saturday, February 15.
According to Mr Gachagua, Mr Odinga's leadership will promote unity across Africa's regions, leveraging his worldview and championship of the African people undoubtedly make him the best candidate to lead the continent into the future.
“Kenya's finest Raila Odinga is undoubtedly the best bet for the African Union Commission chairmanship. Africa deserves the best. As a continent, we need a Raila Odinga character to gel the Anglophone and the Francophone selves towards the continent of the future," Mr Gachagua said in a post on X.
Mr Gachagua added that Mr Odinga's win in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will imprint his quest for the African Spirit, which the former Prime Minister lived and championed, and positively impact the continent.
“Raila Odinga's win will be good and progressive for Africa. His victory will be a victory for Kenya, our motherland,” he said.
His support for Mr Odinga, he said, is based on the premise that his victory in Ethiopia will validate his Pan-African spirit and vision.
“Raila Odinga's victory will be a progressive move for Africa and a testament to Kenya's influence at the continental level,” he concluded.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei described Mr Gachagua's remarks as patriotic.
According to the PS, Mr Gachagua’s remarks are a clear indication that there’s more that unites Kenya as a nation than what divides it.
“Patriotic. There is more that unite than divide us as a Nation,” the PS who led Mr Odinga’s campaign for the seat said on X.
Mr Odinga is set to face opponents from Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Richard James Randriamandrato in Addis Ababa for the top continental seat.
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government will elect and appoint the chairperson and deputy chairperson during their session on February 15-16.
For the election of the chair, vice-chair and commissioners, voting will continue until one (1) of the candidates receives the two-thirds majority.
If in the third round after the dropping of the last candidate in the first one, no candidate achieves the two-thirds majority, the deputy chairperson of the commission shall lead it for up to six months when a fresh vote is called.