Raila’s agenda for African Union

The Kenyan government Monday officially submitted Raila Odinga’s documents for African Union (AU) bid.

The former prime minister is now fully immersed in AU’s top position race, competing with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton and Somalia’s foreign affairs minister Fawzia Adam.

In a quest to turbo-charge Africa’s economic growth, Raila has outlined key areas of focus if he clinches the position.

Among them is African Integration and Infrastructure Development. Notably, Raila was Au Representative for Infrastructure Development from 2018 to 2023.

Economic transformation, enhancing intra-African trade and financial inclusion is other key areas that the ODM chief is eyeing to spearhead in the continent.

It’s a wait and see how Raila will oversee the implementation of policies within the continent that will foster his agenda.

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Africa holds the world’s biggest arable land, with 65 percent of it being uncultivated.

According to World Bank, cultivation of Africa’s arable land will boost food production and aid in hunger eradication in the world thus Raila is banking on agricultural transformation.

Other pillars in Raila’s agenda includes climate action, peace and security, youth empowerment and gender equity and equality.

Kenyan government has heightened campaigns for Raila with reports that majority of East Africa heads of state have agreed to support his bid.

Raila is seeking to succeed Moussa Faki from Chad to occupy AU’s headquarters in Adis Ababa.