He is trapped. Raila's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson has placed him in a very unfamiliar territory where he must change tact and start supporting President William Ruto, his government, and policies which he was fighting a few months ago, accusing it of burdening the taxpayers.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei now says President William Ruto's administration is ready to support Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission chairperson job.

Raila on Thursday officially declared that he will be running for the AU Commission Chairperson to succeed Moussa Faki later this year.

The declaration triggered mixed reactions among the country's political class with Kenya Kwanza government linchpins rooting for his bid.

The PS said that as the ministry has done before, it is ready to do all that it takes to support Raila's candidacy.

"Facilitating the candidature of qualified Kenyans to regional and international organizations is one of the mandates of the Foreign Office. We are on standby to support this quest of a well-deserving national," Sing'oei posted on his X account.

Raila's bid is said to be enjoying the support of President Ruto with a deal reportedly having been sealed sometime last year when they met former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in Mombasa.

Obasanjo, who on Thursday joined Raila at the press conference to unveil the continental job bid, also met President Ruto in Murang'a as part of the consultations.

Signalled the government's deliberate efforts to pitch for Raila, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said on Thursday that the East African Community deserves to produce the next AU commission chairperson.

Mudavadi said the region is ripe for the position and will nominate a candidate in next year’s elections.

He made the remarks during a media briefing on the sidelines of the 44th ordinary session of the AU’s Executive Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“South, Central and West Africa have had a share in serving as chair at various times since 2002. East and North Africa are yet to have that opportunity,” he said in Addis Ababa.

Mudavadi, who is also the Prime Cabinet Secretary, said East Africa will present a strong case for the chairmanship through consultations among its member states.

On his part, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria praised Raila's declaration for the African Union Commission job.

In a statement on Thursday, Kuria said that with Raila as chairperson of the AU, the continent is set to get the much-needed change.

He went on to describe Raila as someone who has a wonderful soul and great friend.

"With incoming Chair of African Union Commission. Africa will never be the same again. A super friend and a wonderful soul," Kuria said on X.

Raila had on Thursday affirmed that he believes he is the right candidate for the job.

"Today, I want to make it public that I am ready to go for the chairmanship of the Africa Union," Raila said.

"I am inclined to accept the challenge. Should the leadership of Africa want my services, I am ready and offer myself to be of service to this continent."