NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 17 – The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has formally endorsed Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the top African Union (AU) Commission job.
Speaking during a press conference on Saturday, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala stated that Odinga deserves to be the next AU chairperson given his overwhelming experience in an array of fields, terming him ‘a luminary in African politics.’
”The right Honorable Raila Odinga is undoubtable an African luminary of unmatched capability. We join many across the continent in restating that Honorable Odinga deserved the AU chairmanship given his distinguished accolades and contribution to the social political landscape of the East African Region and Africa as a whole,” Malala stated.
He reiterated that Amollo played a significant role in the fight against imperialism across the African continent making him the best pick for Africa’s top job.
The statement by UDA is perhaps the clearest indication of the goodwill by the president William Ruto led administration in a bid to ensure Odinga clinches the lucrative continental position.
The Azimio boss has continued to receive endorsement from various sectors including Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli who Friday threw his weight behind Odingadescribing him as best fitted for the job, calling on the government to lobby for him.
“He would be unanimously elected in that particular position. I want to assure Raila Amollo Odinga of the support from the Organization of African Trade Union’s support for his bid,” said Atwoli.
Odinga has also received goodwill from members of his Azimio coalition who have since called for a bi-partisan support for Odinga’s bid saying it will be a big win for Kenya and Africa as a whole.
Odinga on Thursday signaled his interest in the influential position of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.
He has already started lobbying other African leaders to support his candidature as he prepares to formally submit his application for the role currently held by Moussa Faki Mahamat.
