EASU stated on Tuesday that they are confident in Odinga’s extensive background in international leadership, stating that he is the most suitable candidate for the important role.

“EASU president Antony Manyara described Raila Odinga as a selfless statesman with a high standing, an experienced global leader, and a Pan-African dedicated to the continent’s agenda.”

EASU also called on student bodies, youth organizations, and lobby groups throughout the continent to demonstrate their backing for Odinga’s candidacy in the 2025 elections.

The upcoming elections to select the next leader of the AU will aim to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki, the current head, who is stepping down after serving two terms.

President William Ruto gave his official support to his long-standing political opponent Raila Odinga for the position of AUC chairperson at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday.

President Ruto declared that Odinga is the right person for the position due to his impressive history in leadership.

I introduce to you a forward-thinking Pan-African, a courageous and intelligent leader, an expert and specialist, and a respected figure and experienced advocate for constructive transformation. Ruto stated that he is sure he will do everything necessary to make Africa proud and strong.

Odinga expressed his readiness to boldly tackle the challenges and bring about a major change in the continent if he secures the position.

Many leaders from Eastern Africa have promised Odinga their backing.

Odinga will receive backing from a secretariat headed by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’oei and former Kenyan Ambassador to the United States (US) Elkana Odembo.

IG Koome told the media on Thursday that the National Police Service was not a part of the overnight siege.

I want to make it absolutely clear that no NPS police personnel were ever dispatched to the former CS Matiang’i residence, he stated.

This is an unexpected development given that the former Interior CS was reported to be locked up in his home after police surrounded it.

According to Nation’s first reports, detectives from the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission carried out the operation.

EACC CEO Twlib Mbarak, however, also denied any involvement on the part of the organization.

Officers arrived at the apartment without providing a purpose for their visit, said Matiang’i’s attorney Danstan Omari.

A source with knowledge of the incident told the media that after Raila Odinga’s lawyers interfered, the officers left.

When the attorneys and other people showed up, “we think they had intentions to search the residence, but they seem to have retreated,” a person at the scene told Nation.

Additionally, attorney Danstan Omari disclosed that they had applied for the former CS’s arrest in court.

Odinga expressed his surprise that the officers had chosen to face Matiang’i at night in a statement to the media after arriving at the location on Wednesday night.

He asked the investigators to uphold the law and decried the witch hunt being conducted by President William Ruto’s regime.

“They intend to terrorize this nation with the force of the police. It won’t be tolerated, and neither Matiang’i nor anyone else will be the victim of it.

He declared, “We are here and will stand alongside Matiang’i and everyone else to guarantee that our nation’s law is upheld.

Martha Karua, the principal of Azimio la Umoja, criticized Kenya’s relapse into the “dark days” on Twitter.

“Raiding Matiangi’s house gangster style meant to spread a cloud of terror on all persons out of favour with the UDA regime,” she stated.

She added that the Constitution of Kenya is not suspended and cannot be wished away.