After nearly a year of intensive lobbying, Raila wrapped up his continental charm offensive on Wednesday in Bujumbura, Burundi, where he met with President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
Burundi was his final stop before flying to Addis Ababa for last-minute negotiations aimed at boosting his chances in the AUC elections.
“I concluded my campaign activities in Bujumbura, Burundi, today. I thank H.E. President Évariste Ndayishimiye for honouring me with a warm reception,” Raila posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“As I head to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the final stretch, I sincerely thank you all for your unwavering support and prayers throughout my journey as a candidate for the African Union Commission Chairmanship.”
Raila
arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday evening, where he joined the Kenyan
delegation led by Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia
Mudavadi, who is spearheading the AUC campaigns.
On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei chaired a key strategy meeting with Raila’s campaign secretariat to finalize preparations ahead of the election.
“At the Kenya Mission in Addis Ababa, engaging the team on what will be a consequential AU Heads of State Summit,” PS Sing’oei posted on X.
A large delegation of politicians, including MPs, governors, and senior government officials, is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa on Thursday and Friday to support Raila's bid.
Concerns have emerged over allegations that some politicians are travelling at taxpayers' expense.
However, Mudavadi dismissed these claims, stating that the Kenyan delegation in Ethiopia is self-sponsored.
Speaking to the media in Addis Ababa, Mudavadi, who also serves as the Prime Cabinet Secretary, downplayed reports that the large number of Kenyan officials in Ethiopia was government-funded.
“People have been asking about the size of the Kenyan delegation. The delegation size is standard and is normally led by the President in a summit like this,” he stated.
In the AUC elections, Raila will compete against Mahamoud Ali Youssouf – Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Richard Randriamandrato – Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister
The
elections will take place on Saturday in Addis Ababa, where African heads of
state and government will cast their votes to decide the next AUC Chairperson.
