At least five presidents lobbied for appointment of Raila Odinga as African Union special envoy, it has now emerged.
Mr. Odinga was confirmed as High Representative for Infrastructural Development by chairman to AU commission Moussa Faki on Saturday, an offer Raila gladly accepted.
Addis Ababa;
October 18, 2018RAILA ODINGA MEETS OAU COMMISION CHAIR:
H.E @RailaOdinga has held talks with the chairperson of the African Union Commission Mr Moussa Faki. The Wednesday evening talks on the Africa 2063 agenda took place at the African Union headquarters pic.twitter.com/7VflrSU4Z0— NASA Coalition (@CoalitionNASAKe) October 17, 2018
“I was called by the African Union to take over as High Representative for Infrastructural Development and I have taken the position with much appreciation,” Raila said.
His continental assignment would be improving shared infrastructure such as roads, railway and even ports with Addis Ababa being his next destination.
But with March 9th handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta playing a major role, the President also had reinforcement from his colleagues who pushed for the appointment.
1/3: We, @ForeignOfficeKE take this early opportunity to welcome the appointment of & congratulate the former Prime Minister Rt Hon @RailaOdinga as the African Union’s High Rep of Infrastructure Development in Africa by HE @AUC_MoussaFaki, Chairperson of the AUC on 20th Oct 2018. pic.twitter.com/V8bU08PUtH
— DiplomacyKenya (@Diplomacy_Kenya) October 21, 2018
“Besides Uhuru, we had four other presidents who felt that Raila’s experience should go continental. They worked hard in the assembly of Heads of States to deliver,” said a source privy to Raila’s operations.
They include Pombe Magufuli (Tanzania), Nana Addo (Ghana), Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria) and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa.
It is always a pleasure to meet and exchange views with the Honorable @RailaOdinga, a committed Pan-African statesman, on how to advance and accelerate the African Agenda’s of continental integration for #TheAfricaWeWant. pic.twitter.com/u4tPLAajf4
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) October 17, 2018
At Kakamega during Mashujaa Day, Uhuru hailed Raila as a Pan-Africanist, adding that their truce played fundamental role in delivering the seat.
“I want to thank Raila for his commitment. The truce has helped us take the seat. I know Kenya will be on top of his agenda.”