Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday May 22, 2024 held separate meetings with Netherlands and Egypt ambassadors at his Karen home in Nairobi, over his candidature for African Union Commission chairperson job.

The meetings took place at Raila Odinga’s Karen home in Nairobi and focused on his bid for African Union Commission chairmanship and potential for a stronger and unified Africa.

As part of continuing effort to explain his vision for Africa in the changing global environment, Raila  had separate meetings with ambassadors of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya H.E Maarten Brouwer and ambassador of Egypt to Kenya H.E. Wael Nasreldin Attiya.

During the meeting, Raila shared his vision for the continent’s take off, with focus on continental integration, trade and infrastructure development. 

At the same time, the Azimio leader also decried tribalism and the inability of Africans to overcome ‘them vs us’ mindset in leadership and sharing of resources as a major stumbling block.

Meanwhile, the discussions also focused on the need to go beyond signing up for free trade to actualization of the same.

The leaders also emphasized the need to address challenges like payment for goods traded among African nations in the face of lack of US dollars.

In addition, they pointed out the need for African leaders to actualize freedom of movement of people across the continent.

Raila  said he is looking forward to a phased, evolutionary process towards addressing the challenges that include multiple currencies, numerous visas and tens of air traffic control requirements. 

He shared his belief that the time has come for an AU passport to facilitate travel within Africa.