Road to AU Commission top job: What it means for Raila Odinga if elected

African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson candidate Raila Odinga has embarked on lobbying across the 55 member states for backing.

Odinga, who declared his bid on Thursday, will first need to consolidate the seven member states of the East African Community (EAC) that comprises of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and South Sudan.

The former premiere's surprise declaration, during a press conference at his Karen residence, has sparked wide debate in regard to his political future as the bid technically edges him out of Kenya's political landscape since he will be required to serve until 2028.

If endorsed for the AU's top seat, Odinga will be tasked with enforcing the regional bloc's financial regulations, chair all commission meetings and deliberations, popularize the AU's objectives, submit reports to the assembly, executive council and permanent member states as well as act as a depository for all AU treaties and legal instruments.

The AU Commission Chair post elevates the holder to a near head of state with the office holder being a key player in major international happenings, including elections, conflicts and development, not only in Africa but globally. 

A document seen by Citizen TV on the code of conduct for holders of the said office, suggests that Odinga will be forced to take a back seat in Kenya's politics and engage a neutral gear in political contests across Africa.

The code of conduct also stipulates that the regional bloc's chair is barred from any other appointment to a public office unless upon resignation.

If endorsed by the 55 member states, Odinga will only retain his rights to vote in Kenya as a citizen but his hands will be tied and he will not take part in active politics.

The AU regulations are therefore likely to remove Odinga from the 2027 presidential race should he win the chairmanship since the earliest he will assume office will be January 2025 and will serve for four years which means his term will end in 2028 after the country's 2027 polls.

Odinga is now relying on his continental networks to bolster his bid having served as AU High Representative on Infrastructure Development in Africa.