The battle for getting to the house on the hill is tough, but so is the battle for being the second in command.
The debate on who will be the running mate for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition and the Kenya Kwanza team remains a hot debate.
To complicate the issue further is whether the Raila-led team and the Ruto-led team will be going for a woman candidate in the spirit of achieving gender parity.
Meanwhile, the Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga will be in the US for a week-long visit. In his company is Martha Karua.
The “Iron lady” has been fronted as one of the best candidates to deputise Raila.
In a tweet, Political pundit Mutahi Ngunyi wrote that the verdict was out and Martha would be the running mate.
The tweet elicited mixed reactions among the Kenyans on Tweet, with most Kenyans congratulating her.
On the other camp, led by Deputy President Ruto, Ms. Anne Waiguru, the opponent of Martha Karua during the 2017 gubernatorial race, stares at the possibility of being the running mate.
At least three more weeks before the deadline for presidential candidates to submit their running mate’s names.
Anne Waiguru has expressed interest in the running mate position. Fellow women in the DP camp also feel like Waiguru fits the bill.
Yesterday, Azimio women leaders led by Governors Charity Ngilu, a presidential candidate in 1997, affirmed Mutahi’s tweet by saying that she was the most suitable for the DP role.
“We are saying that Azimio leadership can consider a woman a running mate of our presidential candidate. We will demand the slot and will not be apologetic about it,” said Ngilu.
She added: “Already, there are two men at the top, and so the third must be a woman as per the two-thirds gender rule.
We have a woman Chief Justice, Auditor General, Controller of Budget, and we need to occupy the DP post.”
Or Karua’s side insisted that her aim is not to fight for the top seat but to have an all-inclusive government that gives Kenyans the best leadership while adhering to the law on gender parity.
“We are in Azimio because we believe it will secure Kenya and women’s gains. His concern for women is deep-rooted in him.
In whose hands are women’s rights safe? The person to do so is Baba (Mr. Odinga), as we will be preaching to the converted,” said Karua.
Ms. Karua faces several candidates eying for the top seat. We have Peter Kenneth, and Kalonzo Musyoka, among others.
Several Mt Kenya leaders are eyeing the second in the command seat on the DPS end.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua are among the frontrunner in the DP’s running mate race. Others touted for the seat are MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Alice Wahome (Kandara), and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kindiki Kithara.