Boost for Raila's AU seat quest as Mauritius backs him, rival quits

Fawzia Yusuf Adam, former Foreign Affairs minister of Somalia, who recently quit the race for AU Commission chair, paid courtesy call on Rt. Hon Raila Odinga, Kenya’s candidate for AUC. Fawzia declared her support for Mr Odinga, pledging to use her networks to ensure the former Prime Minister wins the contest on first round of voting. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

Raila Odinga’s quest to be the next African Union Commission chairperson is getting clearer by the day with 25 member countries having pledged to support Kenya’s candidature

The government’s campaign team, led by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has reported good progress in convincing seven other African countries to support the country’s quest. This will increase Kenya’s numbers to 32 out of the 48 Heads of State that will vote in February.

According to the Africa Union rules governing the election, the successful candidate needs two thirds of the votes cast which this season is 32 since only 48 countries are eligible to vote.