East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP David Ole Sankok has urged President William Ruto to support ODM leader Raila Odinga in the 2027 presidential elections if he fails to secure the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
In a statement on Saturday, September 21, Sankok declared that if Raila loses the AUC bid, Ruto should apply the same energy he is using to campaign for the Azimio leader’s AU candidacy to support him in the 2027 general elections.
"In the unlikely event that Raila is defeated in Addis Ababa, I will plead with my President William Ruto to marshal the same energy and machinery he is using to campaign for Raila for AUC chairmanship to campaign for Baba to be the 6th President of Kenya in 2027.
"Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua can be Raila's running mate because William Ruto is beyond that position," Sankok remarked.
The lawmaker claimed that President Ruto has confirmed that Raila is a king after being endorsed by the East African Community (EAC) member states.
Read More
"William Ruto has now confirmed that Raila Odinga is a king. Eight member states of the EAC economic bloc have reaffirmed that Raila Odinga is the best leader by fronting him as its sole candidate for the AUC chairmanship," he stated.
His remarks come at a time when President Ruto has been determined about garnering support for Raila in the AU seat, especially after including him in his recent international visits.
Last month, the Head of State officially launched Raila’s AUC bid 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.
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.
