Azimio party leader Raila Odinga is ready to ditch his presidential ambitions for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
While speaking to the media in his local dialect on Thursday, February 15, the former Prime Minister explained that if elected AU chairman, he would not engage in local politics for the four-year term.
Raila is seeking to succeed incumbent Moussa Faki Mahamat, whose second and final term lapses this year. The opposition leader will have the option to seek re-election in 2028 to hold the chairman position for a second term until 2032.
However, he must first win his first stab at the top AU role in this year's election set to be held in July. If he wins, Raila may miss out on running for the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
"It means that I am going to work for Africa for the period that I'll be in that office. It doesn't mean that I will not participate in Kenyan politics forever, it is only during that period," Raila told Citizen TV.
According to the code of conduct for the AU chairmanship, the holder of the office must take a back seat in the country's politics and at the same time maintain a neutral stance across politics in Africa.
He is also barred from any other appointment to a public office unless he resigns from the AU position.
Additionally, if Raila is elected by the 55 member states, he will retain his right to vote as a Kenyan citizen in the 2027 General Election but will be restrained from taking part in active politics.
Raila will rely on his networks across the continent to boost his bid, especially having served as AU High Representative on Infrastructure Development in Africa from 2018 to 2023.
The Azimio leader declared his interest in the position during a press briefing after his candidature was endorsed by former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
"I have no doubt that my friend who is standing next to me is the right person to take over the mantle. If the EAC region backs him, I believe the rest of the continent will support him” Obasanjo stated on Thursday, February 15.
"We believe people who have held positions of head of government as Prime Minister or President will be the right people at this particular time to hold the AUC position," he added.
Speaking after the endorsement, Raila noted that he was ready to serve the continent in such a capacity.
"I have been consulting widely. I think I am ready to serve the continent of Africa," adding that his candidacy was fuelled by the belief that the continent deserved better.
The declaration made by Raila has opened the conversation surrounding the next flag bearer for the Azimio coalition.
Already, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka has declared his interest in the presidency.
While addressing this, Raila noted that the coalition's delegates would have the final say in the flag bearer.
"If we agree it's Raila then it's okay and if you agree I step aside, then it's still okay, that is democracy," he stated in Mombasa on February 13, 2024.
