Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is between a rock and a hard place as the seven-member panel begins the search for Raila Odinga's deputy.
The former vice president is on the horns of a dilemma in the face of mounting pressure from his Wiper cabal to give the selection panel a wide berth.
Snubbing the interviewing panel, analysts believe, would technically knock Kalonzo out of contention. Yet he would be seen to be desperate if he showed up for the interviews.
Whatever position Kalonzo takes in the next six days would either make or break his political career. His allies insist he does not need to be interviewed for the role.
According to Kalonzo’s confidants, it is the height of humiliation to parade the former VP before a panel. He should, in their view, snub the process to guard his dignity.
Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo said the Wiper boss must not be humiliated before a panel, warning Raila risks losing the Ukambani vote if their man does not land the ticket.
“The choice is his (Raila’s). If he wants to be the President, let him look for Kalonzo. I won’t advise my party leader to appear before any vetting panel so as to be told to say his names as they appear in the ID. That is rubbish,” Maanzo said.
Kalonzo has twice been Raila’s running in 2013 and 2017. But the selection process created by Azimio has triggered speculations Kalonzo might as well land a different role.
The seven-member team of religious leaders and Kalonzo's representative is expected to forward two names Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta will consider for a running mate.
National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader Robert Mbui, another close Kalonzo confidant, said Wiper is totally against any method that wold result in Kalonzo appearing before an interview panel.
Maanzo, himself keen to impress on Kalonzo support because he is running for senate in Machakos, described the panel, in which Wiper has a representative, as degrading a former vice president, Cabinet minister and a running mate to Raila in 2013 and 2017.
“On that one (interviews) we have categorically said no. Our party leader cannot be subjected to an interview in that panel. They can’t call Kalonzo to an interview, surely, as a party we have advised against that,” Mbui said.
He added: “There is a lot of speculation but the reality is that this panel is even yet to meet; they are meeting for the first time tomorrow and that is when they will agree on the modality.”
Kalonzo, too, has protested why he has to be subjected to an exam to be Raila's deputy.
“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,” Kalonzo said last week.
By snubbing the vetting panel, the Wiper boss risks being left out of Raila’s pick for the running mate, a development likely to escalate tension in the jumbo coalition.
"If he doesn't submit to the panel, be sure that Kalonzo will not be Raila's running mate," said political risk analyst Dismas Mokua.
The panel has exactly six days - until May 10 - to suggest a name to Raila.
According to IEBC adjusted timelines, presidential aspirants have until May 16 to submit their names alongside those of their running mates to the commission.
The committee had no names by yesterday. However some of the big names being mentioned as possible Raila running mate to appear before them include Wiper boss Kalonzo, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and governors Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) and Hassan Joho (Mombasa).
Others are Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and James Mwangi of Equity Bank.
The search for a running mate is, however, said to have narrowed to Kalonzo and Karua, two seasoned politicians who have had their names on the presidential ballot in 2007 and 2013.
Raila’s running mate selection panel secretary Elizabeth Meyo told the Star on Tuesday Raila would be at liberty to pick a running mate outside those who interviewed by the panel.
“We don't know who the panel will interview and we don't know if any will snub the panel, but the fact that Raila has the final say means that snubbing the panel doesn't stop the process because he could still pick one away from the panel.
“The committee is having its inaugural meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and they will tell us the way forward,” Meyo said on phone.
According to Meyo, the committee is not anticipating any potential candidate to snub the panel.
In the unlikely event that a candidate does not show up, Meyo explained the presidential candidate still has the latitude to pick his running mate out of those suggested by the panel.
“As you are aware, the running mate is ideally a selective position, where the presidential candidate reserves the right to pick his best choice,” she said.
“It is only due to the Rt Hon Raila Odinga's history of consultative leadership that we are having a vetting panel for his running mate, but this doesn't take away his fundamental right to pick someone.”
Meyo expressed confidence in the committee arriving at the most suitable candidate who fits the bill despite what appears to be roadblocks on its way.
But according to Mbui, the seven-member panel must avoid the grilling route and instead come up with other modalities of gauging the candidates without parading them before any team.
“I don’t think the interview is the route to take. What would you know in Kalonzo in an interview of three hours that you don’t know already?” posed Mbui.
“This team will sit together to agree on who the candidate is without having to invite them because they know what they all stand for.”
On Sunday, Meyo in a communication to newsrooms disclosed the panel would conduct the interviews from Wednesday and have the name ready by May 10.
“All the eminent Kenyans being considered for this important position of service to Kenyans will be meeting the selection panel between May 4 and 10, 2022,” she said.
According to the communication, the ideal candidate must have demonstrated fidelity to the Constitution, integrity and respect for the people.
“All the potential candidates that will be considered will be eminent Kenyans with demonstrated record of public leadership and service,” she said.
The panel comprises Bishop Peter Njenga, Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, Dr Noah Wekesa, Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa, Michael Orwa and Beatrice Askul Moe.
Lugari MP Ayub Savula, however, maintained the running mate slot must go to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Mt Kenya backyard, arguing it is the only way to get the region into voting Azimio.
According to Savula, who is the Democratic Action Party deputy party leader, having a running mate from the region is the only way to win over the reluctant Central.
“For Mt Kenya to behave (vote Azimio) they must have their own as the running mate,” Savula said on phone.
Edited by Henry Makori
