Supporters of Kenya's African Union Commission chairperson candidate Raila Odinga on Saturday gathered outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi in a show of patriotism ahead of the elections in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Some danced to victory songs, others performed acrobatic stunts while another lot moved around waving the Kenyan flag.
“Eeeh, aah!” they chanted.
The country is gripped by both optimism and nervous anticipation reminiscent of the tense environment that always characterises general elections.
The Former Prime Minister is waiting to know his fate after months of a gruelling continental campaign to become the next AU Commission chairperson.
Raila’s candidature has enthralled the country as the poll outcome will have direct implications on the 2027 presidential contest.
The ODM leader faces Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday confirmed a big number of Kenyans had crossed the borders to Addis Ababa in a show of patriotism to support Raila.
“I want to say the level of anxiety is very high. There are so many Kenyans who, out of their own pocket and their own commitment, have come to Addis Ababa,” Mudavadi, who is also the Diaspora and Foreign Affairs CS, told journalists in Ethiopia.
A group of about 100 MPs. also travelled to Ethiopia to witness the auspicious occassion.
Fifty five AU member states are eligible to vote to elect the fifth chairperson of the commission
A candidate must garner two-thirds majority support to win, translating to 33 votes.
The next AUC chairperson will be elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once.
The chairperson is elected by member states, excluding countries under military rule.
The seat is held on a rotational basis among the five regions, and this time, the Eastern region is eligible to present a candidate while the Northern region is supposed to present a deputy chairperson.
A staunch advocate for Pan-Africanism, Raila has outlined an ambitious vision for the continent.
He has pledged to accelerate Africa's development and enhance the continent’s self-reliance, unity, and sustainability.
Raila envisions an Africa that rises above its historical challenges, realising its full potential through a new era of progressive leadership.
