Editor's Review

The fundraising event is scheduled for September 18, 2024.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir has distanced the Secretariat of the campaign of Raila Odinga from a fundraising event to contribute to his African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 11, Sing’Oei said the secretariat is not involved in the fund drive.

“We disassociate the Secretariat of the Campaign of H.E. Raila Odinga from this fundraising effort,” said the Foreign Affairs PS.

Sing’Oei is the joint leader of Raila’s AUC campaign secretariat together with Ambassador Elkana Odembo.

The fundraising event has been organized by the Friends of Baba Africa (FOBA) and is scheduled for September 18, 2024.

File image of Azimio leader Raila Odinga. 

An invitation to the event seen by Nairobi Leo mentioned that the event would be held at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi.

“Friends of Baba (FOBA) exclusively invites you to a Fundraiser Dinner with H.E. Raila Odinga. A night dedicated to supporting his visionary leadership as he embarks on the journey to becoming the next Chair of the African Union Commission (AUC),” the invite read in part.

Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki as the next chairperson of the AUC. The AUC chairperson elections will be held in February 2025 during an African Union Summit.

Raila will face three candidates; Djibouti's Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Anil Kumarsingh Gayan from Mauritius, and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar.

The former premier's AUC bid was officially launched by President William Ruto in August at an event at State House Nairobi that was attended by President Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), and the Prime Minister of Burundi Gervais Ndirakobuca.