The National Intelligence Service (NIS) is reportedly working overtime to support Raila Odinga’s campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. According to media reports, NIS is leveraging its extensive network across Kenyan embassies to provide crucial intelligence and logistical backing for Odinga’s high-stakes bid, signaling Kenya’s determination to secure a powerful continental position.
Odinga, a seasoned statesman and former Prime Minister, requires the backing of at least 34 African Union (AU) member states to clinch a first-round win. To secure the chairmanship, he must garner a two-thirds majority during the election set for February 2025. The position is considered pivotal for Kenya’s continental diplomacy and political influence under President William Ruto’s administration.
A high-powered team is spearheading Odinga’s campaign, including Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, legal scholar and political advisor Prof. Makau Mutua, and renowned digital strategist Pauline Njoroge. The team has reportedly intensified its lobbying efforts, with NIS playing a behind-the-scenes role in coordinating outreach and mapping potential support across Africa.
President Ruto has thrown his weight behind Odinga’s campaign, viewing a successful bid as an opportunity to strengthen Kenya’s leadership on the continent. Analysts suggest that Odinga’s success would also serve to cement Kenya’s reputation as a key player in regional integration and African diplomacy.
With the AU elections drawing closer, Odinga faces a challenging path to rally sufficient support among member states. However, with NIS’s tactical involvement and a dedicated campaign team, Kenya is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to secure the coveted chairmanship.
If successful, Odinga’s election would mark a significant milestone for the country, underscoring its influence in shaping the continent’s agenda for peace, development, and unity.
