Raila Odinga to Meet Over 30 African Presidents in China

Former prime minister Raila Odinga will capitalise on his China trip, where he is accompanying President William Ruto, to drum up support for his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.

President Ruto and his entourage are in China for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing.

The summit brings together African heads of state, Chinese leaders and the African Union Commission to discuss and strengthen China-African relations.

Raila is expected to meet over 30 African heads of state on the sidelines of the summit on September 5, to familiarise them with his AUC bid and plan for the continent if elected in the vote slated for February 2025.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said Raila is also expected to make contacts with the key actors who manage AU-China relations.

"We have 30 plus heads of state from Africa and 40 plus Ministers of Foreign Affairs in China as we speak...While in China, Raila will primarily seek to understand the areas of potential partnership and make contacts with the key actors who manage AU-China relations. Partnership is an integral part of the AUC chairman’s job

He’s not in China to lobby but will accompany the president at the state banquet hosted by President Xi for African leaders tomorrow evening. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Summit on September 5. He is expected to meet select African heads of state with the president," said Sing'oei.

Raila is competing against Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Madagascar’s Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato and former Mauritius Foreign Minister Anil Gayan.

Inside Raila’s manifesto

If elected, Raila said he would make the African Union (AU) more people-centered and serve the interests of the vast, voiceless majority of Africans.

If elected, Raila said he would utilise the transition period to critically analyse the existing proposals for reforms and build the capacity of the AU Commission. He said he would follow up on the implementation of the reports so far formulated.

With the African Development Bank report indicating that Africa accounts for eleven of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies in the world, Raila pledged to use his position as the AUC chair to complement the efforts made by heads of state for the continent to continue growing economically.

Raila further said he plans to work with African presidents to integrate Africa. He noted that it was unfortunate some forces were trying so hard to separate African countries.