Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced that President William Ruto will officially launch Raila Odinga's African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship bid next week.

Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, Mudavadi emphasized that Africa needs a leader of Mr. Odinga's caliber.

"Next week, on August 27, 2024, President William Ruto will be formally launching the candidacy of the Kenyan candidate for the AUC Chairmanship, Raila Odinga.”

Mudavadi added that Kenya had submitted the requisite documentation for Odinga's bid earlier in June, as required by the African Union Secretariat.

"As you are aware, the government dispatched a high level delegation led by the Foreign Affairs PS Dr. Korir Sing'Oei, including Raila's strategy team. They officially launched the application to the office of the legal counsel of the African Union through the Dean of the Eastern region.”

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According to Mudavadi, the application highlighted key challenges facing Africa's development agenda that the opposition chief intends to address should he emerge victorious in the February 2025 AUC Chairmanship polls.

Additionally, he announced that in line with African Union (AU) requirements, Mr. Odinga will participate in a live televised debate broadcast to African citizens before the AUC Chairmanship elections.

According to Mudavadi, who also serves as Kenya’s Foreign Affairs CS, the debate will allow Mr. Odinga to present his vision for Africa.

"Since 2017, the African Union has requires that candidates participate in a televised debate, broadcast live to African citizens before such polls. This is known as the Mjadala Debate. It allows the candidate to outline their vision and how they will lead the transformation of Africa through the implementation of the AU mandate and African agenda 2063,” he said.

Mr. Odinga, also in attendance, expressed optimism about his bid, noting that both continental and global leaders had positively received his candidacy.

He equally drummed up support for his bid, highlighting the key economic challenges plaguing the continent that need addressing.

"The AU needs to be strengthened in order to realise the dreams of our founding fathers. As individual countries, Africa is weak but as one united Africa we can have a much stronger voice," he said.