The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced plans to hold a special prayer service for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga ahead of the African Union Commission election.
In a statement on Sunday, February 9, ODM’s Nairobi County leadership invited supporters and well-wishers to attend the prayer service at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, February 10, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM.
“The Nairobi County Party leadership has the pleasure to invite you for a Special Prayer Service to pray for the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga as he heads to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the election of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission,” the statement read.
On August 27, 2024, Kenya formally announced, that Raila would be vying for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
President William Ruto presided over the event that was marked by robust endorsement by East African Partner States reflecting the broad regional and continental support for Raila's bid.
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The formal announcement was witnessed by among others, the Chairperson of the East African Community, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Presidents Samia Suluhu of Tanzania and Salva Kiir of South Sudan.
Former presidents including Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Oluseegun Obasanjo of Nigeria were also in attendance.
Raila's campaign has been active across the continent, seeking endorsements from various African nations.
He has so far secured backing from at least 21 countries, including Mauritius, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda among others.
To win the AUC chairmanship, a candidate must obtain a two-thirds majority vote from the 55 member states, equating to 33 votes.
The election process involves a secret ballot during the AU Assembly, where heads of state and government cast their votes.
If no candidate achieves a two-thirds majority in the initial round, subsequent rounds are held, with the possibility of requiring only a simple majority in later stages.
Odinga faces competition from Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar's former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
The elections of the African Union Commission will be conducted as follows: The 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 elects and appoints the 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 during their Session on the 12-13 February 2025.
The 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 elects and appoints the 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 and 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 during their Session on the 15-16 February 2025.
