Executive Summary

Kenya’s renewed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship through the candidacy of opposition leader Raila Odinga, has set the Kenyan government on the limelight once again, owing to intensive lobbying across the continent. The AUC chair is a crucial position tasked with overseeing the African Union Commission’s operations and shaping its policies. This paper delves into Kenya’s past strategies while unveiling the new approaches being employed in its renewed pursuit of the position. Odinga’s manifesto is briefly analyzed alongside that of his formidable competitor, Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf. The paper emphasizes the importance of strategic diplomacy and leveraging the SADC bloc among other strategies. Challenges to Odinga’s candidacy, including his age and the dynamics within regional alliances, are discussed, along with recommendations for strengthening Kenya’s position.