President Samia Joins Others to Support Raila Odinga’s Bid for AU Commission Chair.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is among the key leaders attending a significant event at Nairobi’s State House, where Kenyan President William Ruto officially endorsed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the position of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

Kenya has positioned Mr. Odinga’s candidacy as representing the broader interests of the East African Community (EAC), rather than just Kenya. This move was further strengthened by the withdrawal of former Somalia Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf from the race, who subsequently endorsed Mr. Odinga.

The high-profile event saw the gathering of several prominent leaders from the region, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete. Also present were Burundi’s Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca and Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Kabarebe.

In a show of continental solidarity, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who recently accompanied Mr. Odinga to the opening of the fifth World of Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (Festac) in Kisumu, was also in attendance to lend his support.

This gathering underscores the strong regional backing for Mr. Odinga’s candidacy and highlights the commitment of East African leaders to unified representation at the African Union.