• The small parties in Azimio are proposing that the position go to a woman.
• On Wednesday, Kalonzo said it may be difficult for Raila to get Kamba votes if he does not pick him as his running mate.
Image: /CALISTUS LUCHETU
Democratic Action Party of Kenya deputy party leader Ayub Savula has asked Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to stop issuing threats to Azimio over the running mate slot.
He said Kalonzo should accept to work with Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance presidential nominee Raila Odinga in any other capacity or leave.
“Our attention is drawn to demands by Kalonzo that he must be Raila’s running mate. We want to tell him there are alternatives in Ukambani capable of being picked as running mate. It must not be Kalonzo,” he said on Wednesday.
The small parties in Azimio are proposing the position goes to a woman.
Savula said Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, who is also from Ukambani, has what it takes to be a running mate, having worked with the government before and as a presidential candidate.
“We don’t want conflicts because this is a coalition. Ngilu can take charge of Eastern in Azimio One Kenya,” he said.
On Wednesday, Kalonzo said it may be difficult for Raila to get Kamba votes if he does not pick him as his running mate.
The Wiper leader said Raila will not only miss Kamba votes but also those of his supporters that extend beyond the Ukambani region.
"It will present a challenge, to be honest. My constituents extend far beyond the Kamba nation and Wiper," he told KTN News in an interview when asked about the consequences of not being picked as Raila's deputy.
The former vice president, however, exuded confidence he will be chosen as Raila's running mate.
Kalonzo made the remarks on a day a seven-member panel was formed to advise on who will be picked as Raila's running mate.
In a statement on Wednesday, Azimio council secretary general Junet Mohamed said the panel members have agreed to take up the role and deliver on their new mandate.
The panel, which consists of clergy and representatives of political parties, is expected to submit the names of probable running mates by May 10.
Panel members are Bishop Peter Njenga, Archbishop Zaccheus Okoth, Senator Enock Wambua, Michael Orwa, Noah Wekesa, Sheik Mohammed Khalifa and Beatrice Moe.
Names being proposed as possible running mate include Kalonzo, Ngilu, Agriculture CS Peter Munya, Peter Kenneth and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua.
The independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has given presidential candidates until May 16 to name their deputies.
Edited by A.N