President William Ruto on Sunday hosted his Ghana’s President-elect John Mahama and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at his home in Kilgoris, Narok County.
The meeting coincided with the final stages of campaigning for the African Union Commission, with Raila contesting to become the next AUC Chairperson in elections scheduled for February 2025.
Ruto thanked Mahama “for declaring his support for Hon Raila Odinga‘s African Union Commission chairperson candidature,”.
In line with Odinga’s mission at the AU, Ruto confirmed that he also discussed the expansion of intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area with Mahama.
The Ghanaian leader expressed his gratitude to Ruto and Kenya for the friendship that exists between Nairobi and Accra, pledging to strengthen relations between the two nations.
“It was a great opportunity to discuss our regional integration efforts, continental security and how we can work collectively to upscale the benefits of the AfCFTA. As a former Chair of the AU high-level committee on Trade, I remain committed to expanding trade among our countries under the aegis of the AfCFTA,” he said
President Ruto is confident that Raila will emerge victorious and be crowned the next AUC Chairperson.
“2025 ni mwaka Baba (Raila Odinga) atakuwa Chairman wa Africa Union Commission na atusaidie kuunganisha bara la Afrika vile ametusaidia kuunganisha Kenya,” he said while in Homabay County.
“We expressed our appreciation for his visit and used the opportunity to update him of my campaigns and vision for the African Union Commission Chairperson,” said Raila after the meeting.
Additionally, Ruto noted that Kenya will enhance its relations with Ghana to encompass more sectors, including trade and investment, agriculture, mining, tourism, and oil and gas.
“This will broaden opportunities for the people of the two countries and ensure our shared prosperity,” he stated.
The Kenyan president also indicated that he will attend Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony in Accra, scheduled for next month.
Last week, President Ruto hosted outgoing African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki at his home where they discussed, among other things, the proposed AU reforms and the upcoming election of the AUC Chairperson.
“We are implementing reforms at the African Union’s structure to make it more effective and efficient in pursuing the continent’s interests,” said Ruto
Ruto has also indicated that he will commence another tour of the continent at the beginning of the year to gather support for the former Prime Minister.
Raila is competing against Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar for the seat.
