It is tough for Raila Odinga.
But it is becoming obvious that he will pick his running mate from Mt Kenya.
And the reason for that is obvious — that with President Uhuru Kenyatta's participation in his election, we would expect Raila will reciprocate.
It is not that he wants that position to go to Mt Kenya, but it is because Uhuru will need to make Mt Kenya comfortable.
He needs to assure them that their interests will be catered for and that their future is guaranteed.
That is why he may face Mt Kenya.
But within Mt Kenya itself, there are issues.
I do not know whether Martha Karua would be the better candidate.
Karua is gaining traction. She brings the woman or gender card. Many women are saying they will vote for her.
I do not know whether to believe them, but it could be true. If they did, that would be a wonderful thing.
Secondly, they are saying, and this is true, that she is a reformist.
I have always said that anybody who wants to change this country must start by fighting corruption and bad governance.
If you have Martha on your side, the country can believe you.
You have two reformists.
People with a track record.
People who have been in the trenches.
People who have fought for human rights and democracy.
If you have them together, that is a powerful lineup.
It can send a serious signal that this is an administration that will go all the way to fight corruption and promote good governance.
But there are a few challenges.
Peter Kenneth is being fronted by Mt Kenya Foundation, those rich businesspeople, so we are told.
And he appears to be their favourite in that region of those big figures in that region.
He could be favoured by Uhuru or Raila himself.
Or, maybe, they would bring in a technocrat. Someone like like James Mwangi or James Macharia.
They could also decide to go to Peter Munya so that they get Mt Kenya East votes.
Or they can decide to give Kalonzo Musyoka the job because he has disturbed them for a long time.
So, for Raila it is quit difficult. The competing interests are just too many.
The University don spoke to the Star
(Edited by V. Graham)
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