Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya coalition presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga is expected to name his running mate on May 10th.
A seven-member advisory panel appointed to help Odinga to pick the most suitable running mate candidate will start interviews on Wednesday.
The panel’s secretary Elizabeth Meyo on Monday announced that the team expects to complete the exercise by May 10th and present the candidate’s name to Odinga, who will then make it public.
Meyo noted that aspiring deputy president candidates will have a meeting with the selection panel on diverse dates this week.
The team says it is looking for a person with a demonstrated record of public leadership and service, accountability to the public for decisions, actions, discipline, and commitment to service to the people. The candidate must also observe fidelity to the Constitution.
Odinga appointed the advisory panel last week in consultation with the coalition party’s national council, which is chaired by President Kenyatta.
Members of the panel include Rtd Bishop Peter Njenga, Archbishop Zacheus Okoth, Senator Enoch Wambua, Michael Orwa, Noah Wekesa, Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa, and Beatrice Moe.
Last week, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) pushed the deadline for submission of names of presidential running mates from April 28th to May 16th.
This followed a consultative meeting between the commission and representatives of political parties.
Some of the leaders who have been touted as potential running mates of Odinga include Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Nark-Kenya’s Martha Karua, Agriculture CS Peter Munya, and former presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth.
Odinga, 77, is giving his fifth stab at the presidency and is expected to face off with Deputy President William Ruto, who is running on a UDA ticket.
Some Kenyans are big jokers…
Some Kenyans are big jokers. I heard a makanga in Githurai say that the running mate will either be Obado or Kidero. I slapped the living daylights out of him after that statement.