President William Ruto has urged the East African Legislative Assembly members to wholeheartedly support Raila Odinga, the former prime minister of Kenya, in her bid to lead the African Union Commission. 

President Ruto confirmed during the special session of the East African Leaders of State summit that the region will produce one candidate for the January 2025 African Union elections.

“It is time for East Africa to head the Africa Union...it is good for our region and we have agreed as heads of state that we front only one candidate to the seat,” Ruto said.


The leader of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, who entered the race for the chairpersonship of the African Union Commission (AUC) last month, has since expressed confidence in winning the position, stating that seven African presidents have supported his candidacy thus far.

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The opposition leader has drawn support from both sides of the political spectrum since announcing his AUC bid, with leaders of the Kenya Kwanza regime—which has long been at odds with the ODM leader—pledging their backing.