Which Way Kalonzo Musyoka? Advisory Panel To Recommend Possible Running Mates For Odinga

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 21-Which way Kalonzo Musyoka?

The Wiper Party leader has insisted he is the best fit for the position of a running mate in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance but he will wait longer to know his fate.

Over the weekend, he had said such a decision will be made by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the coalition presidential flag bearer, and himself.

This is after the first Azimio council meeting chaired by President Kenyatta and attended by among others Musyoka and its presidential flag bearer announced that an advisory panel will have to identify possible running mates.

The meeting was set to iron out contentious issues after a group of the coalition members recommended NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua to be Odinga’s running mate.

The leaders were led by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu- who said it was time for a woman to be Kenya’s running mate.

The Council Secretary-General Junet Mohammed said the advisory panel will be appointed by the Council.

They will recommend to Odinga suitable candidates for nomination as a running mate position.

Also in the agenda, Mohammed said the Director Coalition Executive Committee Raphael Tuju has been tasked to come up with a winning formula for Odinga- that will ensure they also win majority legislative seats in Parliament.

One of the thorny issues for Tuju will be to come up with a balancing act for the coalition when picking possible candidates for the city gubernatorial position.

Already, Jubilee’s Polycarp Igathe’s late entry has caused a storm within the coalition.

Others seeking the position include Westland Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi of the Orange Democratic Movement party.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has set April 28 as the deadline for the presidential candidates to pick their running mates.

None of the leading coalitions have identified a running mate.

Deputy President William Ruto is yet to pick a running mate from the Kenya Kwanza coalition partners.