Raila to discuss AUC bid at Oxford University address

By Moses Muli

Published: May 23,2024 11:52 AM

Opposition leader Raila Odinga who left the country Wednesday for the United Kingdom will deliver a keynote address at Oxford University today.

Raila is also expected to use the opportunity to discuss his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship post.

A statement issued by the Azimio la Umoja coalition through spokesperson Dennis Onyango states that Raila is in the European country at the invitation of the Oxford Africa Society.

“At the annual event, Odinga will deliver a lecture titled: Forging Africa’s Future: A Journey of Resilience and Renewal,” the statement reads.

In the lecture, Onyango said, Raila will discuss Africa’s trajectory of resilience and renewal, offering insights from his extensive experience in public service and advocacy.

“He will focus on the continent’s challenges and opportunities and the pivotal role of leadership in steering Africa towards a future characterized by progress and prosperity,” he stated.

His address, he added, will feature key themes like political stability, economic growth, equity, democracy and social cohesion while highlighting stories of resilience and examples of renewal from across Africa.

Raila is accompanied by the Coalition’s spokesperson Makau Mutua, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Nyando MP Jared Okello.

The ODM leader has declared his intention to vie for the AUC seat in the election set for February 2025 to replace Chad’s Moussa Faki whose term is coming to an end.

He has lined up a series of engagements with various foreign diplomats in Nairobi in May and June.

On May 22, Raila hosted Egypt’s Ambassador to Kenya Nasreldin Attiya and Maarten Brouwer of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya, Somali and Seychelles where he articulated his vision for Africa in the evolving global environment and his bid for the seat.

President William Ruto who backs his bid has already secured support from various countries including Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Guinea Bissau and Angola among others.

Raila will have to square it out with three other candidates from Eastern Africa, who have all joined the race.

They are Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs minister Mahmoud Youssouf, Somalia’s former deputy prime minister and current member of the Federal Parliament Fawzia Yusuf and Seychelles’s former Vice President Vincent Meriton.

Should he clinch the seat, he will serve for a four-year term.