NAIROBI, Kenya, May 4- Former Vice President and two times presidential running mate Kalonzo Musyoka is at the centre of a fresh storm in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance, this time over fresh demands.
The Wiper leader and his allies are categorical that they will only campaign for Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga if he is made a running mate.
He has since boycotted participation in a 7-member panel interview with among others legislator Junet Mohammed and several religious leaders.
He said it will be demeaning to his stature, as a senior politician in the country.
As this happens, Musyoka has found new supporters in Kenya Kwanza leaders- who say he should be Odinga’s running mate.
Deputy President William Ruto has even asked Musyoka to decline from being interviewed for the position, saying it shall be “humiliating.”
In a viral Tweet, the Deputy President said termed the move by the Odinga-led coalition to subject the Wiper leader and others to a panel interview as a form of political deceit.
Musyoka is no other politician as it is believed he has nearly 2 million voters loyal to him and mostly from his backyard- the Ukambani region.
Political analyst and journalist David Makali argues that Odinga is in a catch-22 situation as he has Musyoka to please and the Mt Kenya region- which other being vote-rich, has resources to boost his campaign across the country.
Indeed, President Uhuru Kenyatta who has gone all out to support Odinga hails from the Mt Kenya region and is expected to secure its interests.
“The crisis is real,” Makali said in a Tweet.
“If Kalonzo is named Baba’s running mate, what will UK/Baba sell in the Mt? If he isn’t, what will assuage the Ukambani and Kalonzo supporters? All in all, Kalonzo’s situation is self-infected and a product of his doublespeak and indecision.”
Senator Moses Wetangula, who is a principal at Kenya Kwanza, has accused Odinga of disrespecting Musyoka.
Leaders in Odinga’s camp are not impressed by the Kenya Kwanza intrusion into their affairs and have asked them to keep off.
Prof Makau Mutua, one of the senior officials at the Odinga’s presidential secretariat has asked the Deputy President to make Musyoka his running mate, “if you care so much for him.”
“Your hypocrisy is rich. Leave Azimio matters to us. Stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong and is unwanted. Our process is inclusive. Yours is opaque.”
Muranga Woman Representative Sabina Chege has had similar sentiments but has also asked Musyoka to be humble and submit himself for the running mate interview.
“Humility is a virtue,” the legislator who also seats in the Azimio council alongside President Kenyatta, Odinga and Musyoka said.
In a Tweet, Suna East MP said their guiding principle in identifying a running mate, “for the Azimio presidential candidate is: we don’t want to have a Deputy President like William Ruto.”
DP Ruto has been accused of disrespecting his boss and disowning his duties, but in a rejoinder, he said it is the President who assigned other people his work.
Ruto said those who were entrusted with his work, “have failed miserably.”
So who will be Odinga’s running mate?
Other than Musyoka, others said to be interested in the position include Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, the Muranga Woman Representative, NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua, former legislator Peter Kenneth and Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.
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