NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 27 – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Leader Raila Odinga has appointed a seven-member panel to vet and advise him on the best running mate candidate.
In a statement read by the coalition’s Secretary General Junet Mohamed, Odinga who is also the Azimio Presidential candidate stated that the names of successful candidates must be submitted before May 10.
“The vetting of candidates and the subsequent nomination of a candidate for this critical post is thus a matter of the utmost national importance to be undertaken in the spirit of inclusivity,” said Mohamed.
The 7-member team shall include Bishop Peter Njenga, Archbishop Zachaos Okoth, Senator Enoch Wambua and Michael Orwa.
Other members are Former MP Noah wekesa, Sheikh Khalifa and Beatrice Askul.
The panel Secretary shall be Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elizabeth Meyo.
The 7-member team will sieve through the list of probable candidates and arrive at a decision through consensus.
The first onslaught for the team will be to agree on the rules of procedure for arriving at key running mate candidate for the coalition which has a sore thumb for the coalition.
“I don’t want to speculate on behalf of the team, but they will have their sitting and come with the way of identifying at candidates. They will come up with the methodology they want to use,” said Mohammed.
The Suna East MP defended the method to arrive at a running mate for Odinga saying it’s the best international practice.
“You know they are candidates who running mate for the media, but this committee will tell us who is the candidate for the media and who is the candidate for the people. We cannot do this exercise in futility,” Mohamed noted.
The seven-member team was appointed by Odinga after a decision was made during the inaugural meeting since Azimio coalition was formed that was chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
It comes days after Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka who believes that the running mate position belongs stated the discussion on the running mate position will only involve him, President Kenyatta and Azimio presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga.
“What will happen is that there will be talks between Odinga myself and President Kenyatta. That is how we formed the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition so take it to the bank that I am in the decision-making team,” Musyoka said earlier this month.
The issue of a running mate has been a major headache in the mega movement threatening fallouts within the coalition.
Musyoka and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua have openly expressed desire to deputize Odinga.
The Wiper Leader has gone to the extent of insisting he deserves the position having dropped his bid for the third time in favor of Odinga.
“That issue has not been resolved. But clearly having dropped my presidential ambition and by the way, I was very ready it is a legitimate expectation that I should be the running mate. Even then, it has not been decided. It has not even been discussed,” Musyoka said.
Others linked to the position is Narc Kenya Leader Martha Karua with her possibility being boosted by the fact she hails from Mt Kenya.
Few weeks ago, Azimio Women Group, the women politicians’ group rooting for Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, pushed for her to be named for that slot.
“One of the reasons that we were here is as simple as this: Martha Karua as deputy president. It is not rocket science, we do not see why you cannot see the value of Martha, she is a national figure who has been a minister and her record speaks for itself,” Public Service and Gender Programmes CAS Rachael Shebesh said.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth have also been mentioned as probable running mates.
