A section of the Muslim faithful and members of the Luo Community in Mombasa have held special prayers for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship bid ahead of tomorrow’s election in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Other contenders for the AUC Chairperson position are Mahmoud Youssouf of Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
Muslim congregants at Sakina Mosque dedicated their Friday prayers to the former premier as campaigns for the coveted continental position entered the home stretch.
Ibrahim Dube, a Muslim faithful, appealed to Kenyans to be patriotic, shun divisions and offer prayers for the African Heads of State to make sound decisions by electing Odinga.
“We join other Kenyans who have similar good faith for our country and Raila to remember that Raila had served diligently and competently as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development,” said Dube.
They said they were convinced that Odinga was the most qualified among the three candidates. Kenyans were encouraged to avoid sectarian practices ahead of the election.
They also urged President William Ruto to continue supporting Odinga until he clinched the AUC post.
“We want to believe that the Almighty God shall hear our prayers and let Baba succeed the outgoing Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat during this weekend’s polls,” stated Dube.
Sharon Betty, an ODM Party stalwart, said Odinga is a conscientious leader who would unify Africa and steer the continent to greater heights.
Speaking separately at the Tom Mboya Hall, Luo leaders were optimistic that the Kenyan candidate would carry the day in tomorrow’s poll.
They said they would hold night vigil prayers at the hall until the conclusion of the election, when Odinga is declared the winner.
“We are sure that because of the vigorous campaigns he did across the continent, he will win. Even President William Ruto has tried his best to campaign for him. As Luo communities, we started prayers today at 1 PM and we will conclude our prayers on Saturday at 1 PM after Raila wins with a landslide,” said Coast Luo Council of Elders Chairman James Obara Kings.
By Sadik Hassan