How AU bid! is it the end of Raila Odinga, Azimio’s political game

Raila Odinga, head of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, boldly enters the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chair.

This move holds significant implications for his political trajectory and coalition’s destiny.

The article delves into the impact of Odinga’s AU candidacy on his opportunities and obstacles in both local and continental spheres.

Raila Odinga is a familiar figure in the AU, serving as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development since 2018.

In this role, he gained exposure and influence, particularly in promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a key AU project aiming for a unified market in Africa.

Expressing his motivation for pursuing the AU chairmanship, Odinga emphasizes a commitment to advancing Africa’s integration, development, and regional peace and security.

He believes his wealth of experience, vision, and leadership skills qualify him to elevate the AU to greater excellence and relevance.

For Raila Odinga, the AU position represents an opportunity to solidify his legacy as a pan-Africanist and statesman.

With a significant political career in Kenya, spanning involvement in democratic struggles since the 1980s, roles as a parliament member, cabinet minister, and prime minister, and four presidential contest attempts, Odinga aims to make a lasting impact on the continental stage.

Raila Odinga’s AU bid has stirred diverse responses from allies and rivals in Kenyan politics.

Azimio la Umoja partners express strong support, pledging continental campaigns and dispelling concerns of coalition weakness.

On the contrary, UDA opponents, led by President William Ruto, criticize Odinga, accusing him of abandonment and betrayal.

They question his commitment to Azimio la Umoja and interpret the AU bid as conceding defeat in the 2025 presidential race, vowing to challenge him in both local and continental polls.

It’s not easy to win Odinga over with his AU bid. Other contenders, who have also expressed interest in becoming the AU chairperson, will be fierce rivals to him.

Among them are the current World Trade Organization director-general and managing director of the World Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, and incumbent Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, who is running for a second term.

To be elected, Odinga needs to earn the support of at least two-thirds of the 55 AU member nations and persuade them that he is the most qualified candidate.

Odinga encounters certain difficulties in his own backyard as well.

He will need to strike a balance between his local political responsibilities and his AU campaign, all the while keeping his base and coalition in mind.

Along with dealing with the potential reaction, he will also have to deal with the possibility of some of his followers defecting to other candidates or parties because they feel deceived or disillusioned by his decision to apply for the AU position.

They will want to hear from Odinga that he is not giving up on politics and that this is just the beginning of a new chapter in his service to the country and the continent.

Raila Odinga’s AU bid is a bold and ambitious move that could have far-reaching implications for his political future and the fate of his coalition.

It is also a risky and challenging move that could expose him to fierce competition and criticism from his rivals and detractors.

Odinga will have to navigate the complex and dynamic political landscape of both the local and continental arenas, and prove that he has what it takes to lead the AU and advance the interests of Africa.

Whether he succeeds or fails, his AU bid will undoubtedly mark a significant milestone in his political career and legacy.