Azimio One Kenya Coalition, Deputy President William Ruto and other presidential aspirants have until Thursday to name their running mates.
Even though activists have speculated that the two flag bearers are eyeing their best candidate from the vote-rich Mt Kenya, it has remained a problem and headache for the two big fish to decide on who to settle with as their running mate.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has invited the respective parties’ officials for a meeting today at its offices in Nairobi after Azimio protested at the deadline.
Raila Odinga’s Azimio alliance has questioned the IEBC’s deadline of April 28 for presidential candidates to submit the names of their running partners.
According to the protests notice filed by coalition’s secretariat argues that the actual time for the submission of the running mates is between May 29 and June 6, 2022.
In the Azimio camp, reports indicate, the race has been narrowed down to Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua and Peter Kenneth.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Peter Munya, governors Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) were also said to have been in the race.
Unlike the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Ruto probably hardly worries about his Kenya Kwanza Alliance allies pressuring him to pick one of them to as his deputy.
The Deputy President has succeeded in keeping his running mate affairs largely private.
Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru are said to be in the list from which the DP will choose the running mate.
On the few instances Ruto’s friends have tried to influence his choice of running mate, they have adopted a reconciliatory tone, at times seemingly pleading, almost reassuring themselves that his pick would be a favourable one.
The perfect example is when Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala made a pitch for Musalia Mudavadi to be the DP’s running mate.
A poll conducted by Radio Africa Group revealed that the Mudavadi was the most preferred by 24.2 per cent of the respondents.
Mudavadi was closely followed by Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua at 20.2 per cent, while Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro closed the top three with 11.3 per cent.
