The campaign for Raila Odinga’s candidature for Africa Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson has started in earnest.
On Thursday, senior government officials took advantage of the climate conference in Nairobi to sell Raila’s candidature to foreign dignitaries attending the meeting.
The ODM leader, who gave a key note address during the African Green Climate Finances National Designated Authorities Network (AfDAN), used the platform to sell his candidature for the AUC chairmanship.
Raila said the African Union (AU) should be able to speak more effectively on climate change, on behalf of the people of the continent.
“That is the reason why I have offered myself to run the position AUC chairmanship. I hope that I will be able to use that position effectively to represent Africa to make sure that Africa claims this century,” he said.
AfDAN, an African green finance basket, was officially launched during the 27th Conference of Parties on climate change (COP 27) in Egypt in 2022, to serve as a Pan African-Climate Finance Network access point to support climate actions at country level.
So far, 35 African countries are members of AfDAN, most of whom attended the two-day conference that started yesterday.
Whereas the government will officially launch the campaigns on August 27, officials are already on overdrive to ensure Raila is the man to beat come the elections in February 2025.
Raila said a lot of work needs to be done to address climate change in Africa and the continent should demand compensation for adverse effects.
He regretted that climate finance is available but remains one of the biggest challenges in responding to the crisis.
“Africa needs to be compensated but if we go as Kenya or individual countries, they will not listen to us. They will take us round and round. I have been to these conferences,” said Raila.
Also in attendance were Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Environment), John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Alice Wahome (Lands).
Duale described the ODM leader as the best candidate for AUC, given his wealth of experience, saying his role as former Envoy for Infrastructure Development in Africa has been invaluable to Kenya.
“Because I have an opportunity here, let me say it. Sixteen years ago, myself, John Mbadi and the current President served in his Government when he was Prime Minister. The current President was the Minister for Agriculture and we were deputy ministers busy answering questions those days so we know our candidate,” he said.
“We know our candidate. We know his experience and capabilities. We are presenting a tested, experienced African Statesman, a Pan-Africanist to the continent and we are proud that you have joined us,” he added.
Mbadi said Kenya cannot go wrong with Raila’s candidature because his history is well-documented.
He told the conference that Raila’s stand on environmental issues is well known and if he gets to the AUC he will be the best champion on issues of climate change.
“Duale and I have worked with you closely... I have actually worked with you more closely than anyone else and continue to work because I am still a very strong member of the party, which you lead. I hope that soon I will join the council of elders of that party having resigned from the position of national chairman,” he said.
“If there is someone that Africa needs as a champion of issues of climate change, it is none other than Raila. He has fought hard in conservation of forests and water catchment areas and at the AUC you will be a champion protection of our environment and that will go a long way in helping to mitigate the climate change,” he added.
On Wednesday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said President William Ruto will formally launch the ODM leader’s candidature for AUC chairmanship on August 27.
Mudavadi emphasized that Africa needs a leader of Raila’s calibre.
“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,” he said.
Addressing the climate conference, Raila called for action saying Africa cannot continue with the business as usual approach, if it is to address the devastating impact of climate change.
Although climate finance has been available, he regretted that its access remains one of the biggest challenges in responding to climate change.
He said the continent can only accesses four percent of climate finance, which is way below impactful finance and called on leaders to ensure they come up with concrete resolutions during climate conferences.
“After conferences, people pack and go. Heads of States come with jets, land and make speeches. You make the speeches back in the jets and go back and wait for the next conference. Nothing concrete comes out. You must make sure that something concrete comes out of those conferences, said Raila.
