•A section of the Muslim faithful and members of the Luo community in Mombasa have come together in a show of solidarity, holding special prayers for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as he seeks to clinch the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
•The prayers come just a day before the crucial election set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Picture: Raila Odinga at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa| Credits: Courtesy
Mombasa, Kenya| The congregants at Sakina Mosque dedicated their Friday prayers to Odinga, invoking divine intervention as the race for the prestigious continental position enters its final stretch.
The event, which brought together religious leaders, political supporters, and community members, underscored the high stakes surrounding the election and the widespread support Odinga enjoys from different sections of Kenyan society.
Ibrahim Dube, one of the Muslim faithful present at the gathering, urged Kenyans to rise above political and ethnic divisions and unite behind Odinga’s candidacy.
He emphasized the need for patriotism, calling on the nation to rally behind the former premier and pray for African Heads of State to make a wise and fair decision.
“We join other Kenyans who have the best interests of our country at heart. Raila Odinga has served diligently and competently as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, and we believe he is the most qualified candidate for the position,” said Dube.
The group expressed confidence in Odinga’s leadership credentials, stating that his vast experience in governance, diplomacy, and pan-Africanism makes him the ideal candidate to succeed the outgoing AUC Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
They urged Kenyans to avoid sectarianism and divisive rhetoric in the lead-up to the election, stressing the importance of national unity in supporting Odinga’s bid.
Additionally, the Muslim faithful called on President William Ruto to continue backing Odinga’s candidacy, emphasizing that this was a national matter that transcended political differences.
They maintained that a victory for Odinga would be a win for Kenya and the entire East African region, enhancing the country’s influence on the continental stage.
“We want to believe that the Almighty God shall hear our prayers and grant Baba success in this weekend’s polls,” Dube added.
Image: Sheikh Ibrahim Dube of Sakina Mosque addressing the press after Friday prayers| Credits: Facebook/Kenya News Agency-KNA
As the election nears, Odinga’s bid has drawn significant attention both locally and internationally, with political analysts weighing in on the potential implications of his leadership at the AU.
His supporters remain hopeful that his longstanding commitment to African unity, economic integration, and infrastructure development will convince African leaders to entrust him with the prestigious role.
With anticipation mounting, all eyes now turn to Addis Ababa, where the decision of the African Union Heads of State will determine whether Raila Odinga will ascend to the helm of the AU Commission, steering the continent’s policy direction for the coming years.
