By Anderson Ojwang
President William Ruto will for the second time be out to make history.
This time, Ruto is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to make a reality, to the candidature of Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for the seat of the chairperson, of the African Union Commission (AU) a reality.
Ruto is leaving nothing to chance and is exuding confidence in a possible Raila’s victory on Saturday.
Ruto a battle-hardened and a go-getter, in the electoral process, is fighting a contest of his lifetime.
After successfully securing the Prime Minister in 2007 for Raila after the disputed presidential election, Ruto has taken the battle to the continent, where he wants to make Raila, the AU chair.
After Raila declared his candidature for the seat, Ruto facilitated his logistics for the campaigns and led him to a series of meetings with various presidents and even hosted some presidents in Nairobi, State House, in a vote pursuit.
After arriving in Addis, Ruto wrote in his X handle former Twitter “Congratulations RAO. Raila Odinga. With your proven track record of transformative leadership and dedication to Africa’s progress, you are undoubtedly suited for the AUC chair. We wish you the best in the election ahead and look forward to your continued success.
Africans across the continent are rallying behind Raila Odinga’s proven track record, recognizing his leadership qualities and vision for Africa’s future. His widespread support positions him as the ideal candidate for AUC chair seat.
With a proven track record of driving transformative infrastructural projects and managing complex ministries, Baba wa Africa Raila Odinga exemplifies the effective leadership needed for AUC chair.”
Ruto on his X handle has posted on Raila’s various leadership attributes and successes in a bid to win votes from his colleague presidents to support Kenya’s candidate.
Back at home, the Mau Mau Wat Veterans in a press statement voiced their support for Raila and appealed to presidents from the continent to vote for Raila.
In a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Dr Gitu W. A Kahengeri said the Mau Mau War Veterans Association gave the reasons why Raila should be elected the chairman of AUC.
“We the Mau Mau Veterans Association unreservedly support the election of Rail Odinga to the chairmanship of the AU commission for the following reasons:
Raila knows what politically, economically, and socially ails the African continent, he can unite African people without discrimination and can initiate the building of sustainable economic infrastructure.
Raila can initiate the building of industries, and complex networks of roads connecting all countries in Africa. He is a great asset to Africa.
We appeal to all African heads of government to elect Raila for the prosperity of Africa,” they said.
Equally, former deputy president Rigathi Cachagua also wished Raila victory.
In his X handle, he wrote “ Kenya’s finest. Rt Hon. Raila Odinga is undoubtedly the best bet for the African Union Commission chairmanship. Africa deserves the best. There is no doubt about Raila’s worldview and championship to African people.
As a continent, we need a Raila character to gel the Anglophone and Francophone selves towards the continent of the future.
His win in Addis Ababa imprints his quest for pan African spirit he has lived and championed.
Raila Odinga‘s win will be good and progressive for Africa. His victory will be a win for Kenya, our motherland”.
Raila concluded his campaign in Burundi before he headed to Addis and wrote in X handle “ I concluded my campaign activities in Bujumbura, Burundi, today. I thank President Evaiste Ndayishimiye for honouring me with a warm reception.
As I head to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the final stretch, I solemnly thank you all for your unwavering support and prayers throughout the journey of my candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship.”
In 2007, Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi joined hands and supported Raila’s presidential bid.
In the contested presidential election, Ruto and Mudavadi led the negotiations that resulted in the Grand Coalition government with Mwai Kibaki as the President and Raila as the Prime Minister.
Currently, Ruto has tasked Mudavadi with delivering Raila’s victory and the duo have undertaken a multi-prong campaign approach that may lead Raila to Victory.
The dice are cast and with the clock ticking, President Ruto will be hoping to have his way in the elections as Kenyans wait with bated breath.
