Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is set to enjoy hefty salary and benefits if elected as the Africa Union Commission Chairperson.
Raila, who declared his bid for the position in February has so far received endorsement from over 20 African countries.
On Tuesday, August 27, President William officially launched Raila’s campaign in a ceremony attended by various presidents and former heads of state.
Among the nations backing Odinga’s bid are several East African Community (EAC) member states, including Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
Should he secure the position, he will be entitled to a monthly salary of Sh. 2.4 million. In addition, he will receive a monthly rental budget of $6,000 (Sh. 772,500) which will include rent and payment of utilities such as electricity.
Other benefits the Azimio la umoja coalition leader is expected to receive include a monthly child allowance of $250 (approximately Sh. 32,187) for each eligible child.
Odinga’s wife, Ida, will also get monthly facilitation equivalent to 5% of his basic salary, provided she does not earn more than $500 (Sh. 64,375) per month.
Notably, the AU also pays 100 per cent fees for the Chairperson’s dependent children studying in Africa or any other part of the world other than Europe and North America. The annual fee coverage is up to $15,000 (approximately Sh. 1.9 million).
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The AUC chairperson and Deputy Chairperson will be selected at the 38th AU summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2025.
Raila’s election into the position will see him serve for four years replacing Moussa Faki Mahamat the Chadian veteran politician who has been AUC Chair since 2017.
Moreover, Raila, who is facing competition from Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Youssouf, Anil Gayan (Mauritius) and Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar), will become the first Kenyan to assume the role.
