Raila Set for a Week-Long Visit to the US

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga is set to leave the country on Saturday for the United States.

His spokesperson Dennis Onyango said the ODM party leader will be attending the inaugural US-Africa Summit in Washington, DC., in his capacity as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development.

"Hon. Raila Odinga is set to leave the country late Saturday, December 10, 2022, for a one-week visit to the US where he will join other leaders from across the African continent for the US-Africa in Washington, DC,” Onyango said in a statement.

Odinga is expected to land in Washington, DC on Monday for the high-level meeting that runs from December 13th to 15th.

"He will be attending the meeting in his capacity as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development. In that capacity, he will lead discussions on the promotion of investment in infrastructure and attainment of Just Energy Transition," Onyango added.

He is also lined up for a series of meetings with leaders from the public and private sectors and civil society organizations on the sidelines of the summit.

The summit aims to serve as a demonstration of the Biden administration’s commitment to the African continent and provide a forum for new joint initiatives between the US and African countries.

The summit, which will be hosted by President Biden, will include new initiatives to increase US engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as initiatives to boost the continent’s recovery from COVID-19, bolster food security and promote investment in infrastructure, health and renewable energy projects, among other priorities. 

The Biden administration is also expected to reiterate the need for African governments to address democracy and human rights concerns.

Approximately 50 heads of state and senior government officials from African countries are expected to attend the summit, according to White House officials.