Amina Mohamed's candidacy for the African Union chair in 2017 was considered a perfect move based on her credentials which included serving as a Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2013-2018), a Permanent Representative to the UN (2000-2006), Chair of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and the chair of the World Trade Organization's General Council (2005).
Given her outstanding qualifications, Kenya launched an ambitious continent-wide campaign to promote her candidacy.
The strategy combined direct high-level diplomatic meetings with strategic outreach to regional voting blocs and alliances to build support for her bid.
Despite her strong credentials and a campaign that cost Ksh437.7 million, she was ultimately defeated by Mahamat Moussa Faki of Chad.
