Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday said without him as running mate, Raila Odinga will lose to Deputy President William Ruto.
He said he and Raila are a winning team and warned that if Azimio does not get it right with the running mate issue, Ruto and his Hustlers will win.
Kalonzo, who had first demanded he be the flagbearer, then insisted on being running mate, also said the jostling over the deputy positions makes him want to go home.
Right now, it is the kind of thing [the push and pull over a deputy] that makes me want to go home, to be honest
Speaking to the media at the SKM Command Centre in Karen, Nairobi, on Wednesday, the former Vice President asked why he should be subjected to an "exam" or vetting by a panel for the seat.
It is supposed to identify the best person or persons to deputise Raila.
“This issue is beginning to weigh heavily on me. I find it almost unacceptable discussing it. …. If this issue is solved earlier, it will give some of us the impetus to campaign,” he said.
… “because right now, it is the kind of thing [the push and pull over a deputy] that makes me want to go home, to be honest. You all know my history. Should I really be struggling about this?” Kalonzo asked.
He repeated that his partnership with Raila had "won" both the 2013 and 2017 elections, "according to us", and asked why the lineup should be interfered with.
“I do not know what may have changed so drastically in 2022…. Whenever Raila and I run together, we cannot lose an election,” he said.
He added, “I still think that …Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka is a ticket you can’t defeat in terms of its quality, in terms of its experience...
"The technical committee will make recommendations. Present data, demographics …. But we live in this country. We know the winning formula."
Kalonzo disclosed that the running mate debate and being subjected to a panel has rattled his political base and hinted at negative consequences if he loses the running mate position.
“I know some of my people are bitter.....they are asking why they want to interview me yet in Cord and Nasa there were no interviews.”
“I talk about my constituency which goes beyond Kamba, [beyond] even Wiper… it [missing out on the position] will present a challenge, to be honest,” he disclosed.
He indicated a revolt in his backyard.
The former Vice President said he has directed his troops to go slow on the running mate debate and give the panel the opportunity to conclude its work.
Asked about his next move if he loses the nomination, Kalonzo said, "...We will continue engaging. I believe in full consultation and I hope we will get there….but we will cross that bridge if we get there."
Kalonzo’s allies have been threatening to pull out of the coalition should their leader be denied the slot to be the country’s second in command.
Two weeks ago, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr accused President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila of betraying their boss by reneging on an initial agreement to grant him the running mate slot.
On Wednesday, Kalonzo declined to disclose much about the agreement, saying it was a "privileged" document and he cannot reveal its contents.
He spoke as the Azimio coalition council named a seven-member team to advise Raila on the best running mate. They consist of clergy and party representatives.
Raila, who has been in the US, is expected to jet back home Thursday morning to attend the state burial of former President Mwai Kibaki.
He will also try to resolve the running mate issue to beat the IEBC deadline of May 16. The coalition deadline is May 10.
The selection panel consists of clergy and representatives of political parties.
Addressing a press conference, secretary of the Azimio-Oka Council Junet Mohamed said the panel has until May 10 to suggest choices for deputy.
The panel consists of Bishop Peter Njenga, Archbishop Zacheaus Okoth, Michael Orwa, Senator Enoch Wambua, veteran politician Noah Wekesa, Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa and Beatrice Moe.
The panel of distinguished Kenyans will have Elizabeth Meyo as the secretary.
“The panel shall reach its decision through consensus and shall elect its chairperson," Azimio Council secretary Junet said.
“The panel is required to submit to the candidate the name (s) of the suitable candidate (s), on or before May 10, 2022,” Junet added.
But on Tuesday, Kalonzo said that while he was not entirely comfortable with the formation of the panel, he has lived with it as he was part of the council that approved its formation.
The Wiper boss said he was never subjected to an interview panel in the previous elections when he deputised the ODM boss and asked why the situation was different.
In 2013, Raila and Kalonzo ran on Cord, while in 2017 they were in Nasa. Both times they lost to Uhuru Kenyatta.
Last week, the 11-member Azimio Council, chaired by President Kenyatta, started the process of picking Raila's running mate.
The President is believed to have the last word.
Besides Kalonzo, notable names include Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Agriculture CS Peter Munya and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
The National Rainbow Coalition on Tuesday also submitted the name of its party leader Charity Ngilu for vetting and consideration as Raila’s running mate.
The panel is supposed to be guided by the spirit of inclusivity, fostering both party and national unity, transparency and the principles of good governance.
“The vetting of candidates and the subsequent nomination of a candidate for this critical post is a matter of the utmost national importance," Junet said.
On Tuesday, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati extended to May 16 the deadline for the submission of names of presidential running mate.
This was after political parties protested the agency’s earlier directive to submit the names by April 28, Thursday.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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