Gov’t Distances Itself From Raila AUC Campaign Fundraiser
The government has withdrawn from a fundraiser scheduled for Wednesday, September 18, ostensibly to support Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
The event’s organizers, calling themselves “Friends of Baba (Foba),” stated on invitation cards that attendees would have “an evening with Raila Odinga” during the fundraiser at a Nairobi hotel.
“As we unite with leaders and dignitaries from across the continent to help champion Africa’s future,” the invite reads.
“Friends of Baba (Foba) exclusively invites you to a fundraiser dinner with H.E. Raila Odinga. A night dedicated to supporting his visionary leadership as he embarks on the journey to becoming the next chair of the African Union Commission (AUC).”
On the invitation card, Foba provided a bank account number to which donations could be made.
However, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei quickly distanced the government from the fundraiser.
We disassociate the Secretariat of the Campaign of H.E. Raila Odinga from this fundraising effort. pic.twitter.com/uuusJPpLXc
— Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) September 11, 2024
“We disassociate the Secretariat of the Campaign of H.E. Raila Odinga from this fundraising effort,” the PS said on X.
Raila’s AUC bid is solely supported by the government, with President William Ruto unveiling a campaign secretariat on August 27, 2024.
The President tipped Sing’oei to lead the campaign team, which also includes seasoned diplomats, in Raila’s high-stakes AUC leadership bid.
The Sing’oei secretariat consists of five team members, each representing a different region of the African continent, in order to strategically garner widespread support across the continent.
Elkanah Odembo, the former Kenyan ambassador to the United States, co-chairs the team.
Its members include Prof Makau Mutua, former Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, Mahboub Maalim, former Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Ambassador Anthony Okara.
“Kenya endorses his candidacy unreservedly, and we commit wholeheartedly to supporting his candidature, his vision, and his leadership,” Ruto said after unveiling the team at State House, Nairobi.
The election for the fifth commission chair to succeed Chad’s incumbent Moussa Faki Mahamat will take place in February 2025.
It is regarded as East Africa’s best chance of retaining the seat, given that previous AUC chairs have come from the African Union’s western, central, and southern regions.
Raila faces Anil Gayan, former Foreign Minister of Mauritius, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Foreign Minister of Djibouti, and Richard Randriamandrato, former Foreign Minister of Madagascar.
Somalia’s Fawzia Yusuf Adam and Seychelles’ Vincent Meriton withdrew from the race.
Gov’t Distances Itself From Raila AUC Campaign Fundraiser
