Kenya has officially put forward Raila Odinga’s nomination for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).

Kenya has officially submitted the bid for ODM leader Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Chairmanship.

On Monday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singo’ei announced that the government had provided the necessary documentation for Kenya’s nominee, Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of the Eastern Region, Ambassador Dharmraj Busgeeth of Mauritius.

“Under the authority of the Government of Kenya and as per the Statutes and Rules of the African Union Commission, we have today formally submitted the requisite documentation of Kenya’s nominee for the Chairmanship of the African Union, H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, to the Dean of Eastern Region, H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius,” Singo’ei stated on X.

Present at the submission were Raila’s close ally Makau Mutua and Kenya’s ambassador to Addis Ababa, George Orina.

This move dispels recent speculations about the government’s support for Raila’s candidacy, following weeks of anti-government protests. The submission comes after President Ruto appointed some of Raila’s allies to the Cabinet, signaling a possible political agreement between the two leaders.

The African Union Commission has set August 6 as the deadline for candidacies to succeed Moussa Faki. Kenya, having missed its original June 30 deadline due to protests, is now working swiftly to support Raila’s bid. Two weeks ago, a joint campaign secretariat was established to assist in the campaign, combining efforts from Raila’s team and the government. This secretariat will be based in the Railways Building, home to the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi.

President William Ruto’s administration has pledged comprehensive support for Raila’s campaign to secure the prestigious position, which would elevate him to the status of a head of state.

According to a communiqué from the Office of the Legal Council in May, each candidate for the chairperson position must submit a curriculum vitae (CV) in six languages: English, Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Kiswahili.