'Good luck, buddy,' Ruto tells Raila ahead of AUC vote

Kenya is watching with bated breath as the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson election begins in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, has arrived at the AU headquarters, accompanied by President William Ruto.

The two leaders donned matching suits and ties and shared smiles in a rare display of camaraderie as they made their way to the venue.

Sources told The Standard that the president wished Odinga "good luck" as he prepares to face two other contenders for the top seat.

D-DAY: President William Ruto and Former premier Raila Odinga make way to AU headquarters in Addis Ababa ahead of AUC chairperson vote.

Video by PCS pic.twitter.com/ou7R8FrPtE

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Delegates have already gathered for the crucial and highly anticipated vote, set to begin at 5 pm. Several Heads of State are already in the room. 

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is expected to make opening remarks, followed by speeches from Outgoing AUC chairperson Moussa Faki, who will be delivering his final address as chair, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Angola’s President João Lourenço, the new AU chairperson.

Delegates will then be briefed on the voting process before casting their ballots.

If all goes as planned, the new AUC chair is expected to be announced by 6pm.

Odinga is facing Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.