Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, President Ruto’s candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) top job, was busy wooing Western diplomats in Nairobi on Tuesday for his continental bid.

Meanwhile, his competitor, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, entered the lion’s den by campaigning for the same seat in Nairobi and meeting with Kenya’s top diplomat, Musalia Mudavadi.

Youssouf is vying against Odinga for this prestigious role, with the deadline for submission of candidature closing today.

Raila separately met with Germany’s ambassador in Nairobi, Sebastian Groth, and the UK High Commissioner, Neil Wigan. The opposition leader, who has joined forces with the government, remarked, “We all agree; a strong and stable Africa benefits us all.”

After meeting Mudavadi, Youssouf stated, “I came to Nairobi, an important stage of my campaign, to seek advice from HE President William Ruto, who is the African champion for reforms and climate change. It is quite obvious to me that I will certainly have to work with him on these critical issues if I am elected.”

“A candidate for the African Union Commission position is first and foremost at the service of the continent and its member states and, as such, must seek the support of all,” Youssouf said on X.

Kenya had not commented on Youssouf’s visit by the time of publication.

It is intriguing that the Djiboutian candidate sought Kenya’s vote despite the country already endorsing opposition leader Raila Odinga for the position.

The usual disagreements among East African member states at the AU could spark divisions ahead of the elections, as various capitals have already endorsed their candidates and officially submitted their applications.

The role of AUC chairperson is one of the most challenging and, some might say, thankless jobs.

Under Chad’s Moussa Faki, conflicts and crises have increased, and the continent has become more divided on how to respond.

Soon, it will no longer be Faki’s responsibility, and the Eastern African region has already begun endorsing candidates for the position, which will be filled in less than seven months.

The contest enters a decisive phase where a panel of experts will evaluate the candidates.

Last Monday, Nairobi officially submitted Odinga’s application to the AU Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The application was lodged by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singo’ei to the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union and the Dean of the Eastern Region, Dharmraj Busgeeth, who is also the ambassador of Mauritius to Ethiopia and the AU.

Djibouti has also officially submitted its candidacy, as has Mauritius, which has put forward its former foreign minister Anil Gayan.

Similarly, Seychelles showed interest by nominating former vice president Vincent Meriton for the role, but as of press time, it was unclear if the country had officially submitted its candidature.

Backroom talks and intensive lobbying efforts in all 55 African capitals will play a key role in determining who will be elected chairperson next year.

The decision will be made through a secret ballot cast by the heads of state.