President William Ruto arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Thursday, two days before 35 African Heads of State and their representatives vote for Moussa Faki Mahamat's replacement as the African Union Commission chairperson.
His early arrival indicates the high stakes involved in the race, which features former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a candidate.
Raila arrived on Wednesday evening, hours after meeting Burundi's President Évariste Ndayishimiye in a last-minute campaign.
Sources said Ruto hit the ground running, engaging in closed-door meetings to push Raila's election.
