Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party spokesperson Makau Mutua has expressed his confidence in the victory of coalition leader Raila Odinga in race for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

Taking to his official X account moments after Kenya formally submitted Raila’s candidature, Mutua said victory is the only option left.

“The deed is done. We’ve officially submitted Kenya’s candidature of Raila Odinga for Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Victory is the only option!” Mutua stated.

Prof Mutua on Monday, July 29, 2024, accompanied Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, Kenya’s ambassador to Ethiopia George Orina, and Ambassador Elkanah Odembo to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where they officially submitted requisite documents for Raila’s bid.

PS Korir through his official X account has also stated that he had submitted copies of Raila’s application for AUC chairmanship to Hajer Gueldich who is the African Union Legal Counsel.

This, the PS says, was in accordance with the rules of procedure of the AUC.

“Presented copies of H.E. Raila Odinga’ s application for Chair of AUC to Hajer Gueldich, African Union Legal Counsel, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the African Union Commission,” PS Korir said.

The AUC chairperson is the chief executive officer, legal representative of the AU and the Commission’s Chief Accounting Officer.

The Chairperson of the Commission is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once.

Raila is seeking to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad whose term is coming to an end.

AU has set August 6 as the deadline for the submission of the candidacy of those seeking to succeed Faki.

However, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader faces competition from Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Somalia’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam and Seychelles’ former Vice President Vincent Meriton.