- Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua yesterday reaffirmed his support for Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
- This even as he sought truce with his political nemesis Kalonzo Musyoka.
Image: ALRED MUTUA
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua yesterday reaffirmed his support for Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid even as he sought truce with his political nemesis Kalonzo Musyoka.
Speaking after chairing Maendeleo Chap Chap top organ meeting, the party boss said he believes in Raila’s leadership.
“I present myself for consideration as running mate for position of deputy president to Jakom Raila Amollo Odinga,” he said.
The county chief said that at 51 and with the experience, he would blend with Raila’s wisdom and transform the country if he wins the presidency in the August 9 general election.
“I believe that this country needs the wisdom of an experienced and elder statesman combined with the vigour, proven track record, ability and focus of a youthful person,” he said.
“Raila would be sending me and I would rush 'chap chap' and get it done so that Kenya becomes another Singapore or Malaysia where people will have more money in their pockets.”
The Machakos boss' push for the running mate position comes against the backdrop of remarks by Kalonzo that he was Raila's apparent running mate.
Last week, Kalonzo and his ally Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr, hinted that he is the ‘obvious’ deputy.
“Let us not talk about the obvious. We do not discuss the obvious,” he said last week.
Kalonzo was Raila’s running mate in both 2013 and 2017 elections.
Kalonzo and Mutua have not been seeing eye to eye politically.
Mutua, however, maintained that he would not move out of the coalition should he fail to secure the running mate slot.
“If I am not offered the position of a deputy president, I will still work with Raila,"Mutua said.
"I am not here just for the positions, but we want to balance the past, the present and the future.”
Yesterday, however, Mutua reached out to Kalonzo saying he was ready for a handshake to consolidate Raila’s vote in the larger Ukambani region and beyond.
“I am ready for a handshake; we should cease fire and forge forward as a team to secure Raila’s presidency," he said
Mutua reaffirmed his commitment to Azimio in the wake of speculations following his meeting with Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday.
Ruto is Raila’s key challenger for State House.
Mutua said he met Ruto after the DP reached out to him for an alliance ahead of the election but he turned down the offer.
Last week, Mutua was among the party leaders that protested exclusion from the Azimio decision making desk and threatened mass walkout.
The revelation forced Raila to convene a crisis meeting and expand Azimio's decision making organs to include the fringe parties.
“I wish to confirm that I have at last seen the document that was placed with the registrar of political parties and I have presented it to my members and they are satisfied," Mutua said.
“I have a soft spot for Raila he is a wonderful man. Raila is a focused leader with wisdom. It is Raila's time just like it was Mandela's time.”
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)