The African Union has hailed Raila Odinga as a true Pan-Africanist as he formally assumed roles as High Representative on Infrastructure Development.
Chairperson of African Union Commission Mousa Faki confirmed that the former Kenyan Prime Minister has accepted the new roles.
Mr. Odinga, who also brings long time experience both in politics and government, is expected to oversee infrastructure for expeditious economic development.
"The High Representative will work to support and strengthen the efforts of the Commission’s relevant Departments and those of the Planning and Coordinating Agency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), within the framework of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), which was endorsed by the Assembly of the Union in January 2012.
"In this respect, his mandate includes mobilizing further political support from Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and facilitating greater ownership by all concerned stakeholders on the continent. He will also support the Commission and NEPAD initiatives to encourage increased commitment from development partners.
In the discharge of his mandate, and building on the work and leadership of the PIDA Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI), the High Representative will pay particular attention to the missing links along the transnational highway corridors identified as part of the Trans-African Highways Network, with a view to facilitating their development and modernization. He will also focus on the continental high-speed train, which is one of the flagship projects of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063, in the context of the relevant African Union decisions.
He will interact with the current Champions of related African Union initiatives and seek their guidance, to ensure the required synergy and coherence," reported AU owned Situation Room.
It further said: "The Chairperson of the Commission is grateful to Honorable Raila Odinga for accepting this important assignment. He brings with him a rich political experience and strong commitment to the ideals of Pan-Africanism and African integration, as well as a deep knowledge of infrastructure development. Honorable Odinga has served in a number of critical positions in a career spanning more than forty years.
"In addition to having been a Member of Parliament, he has held important ministerial portfolios, including Energy, Roads, Public Works, and Housing between 2001 and 2005. He has also served as Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013."
At Kakamega during Mashujaa Day celebrations, Raila formally revealed his new duties which comes seven months after reconciliation with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
At the event, Mr. Odinga said he will use the opportunity to push for unity among Africa States besides mobilising for improvement of infrastructure.