Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has asked ODM leader Raila Odinga to pick Kieni legislator Kanini Kega as his running mate ahead of the August 9, General Election.
Speaking on Friday, February 18, during an Azimio la Umoja meeting in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, the Owino said that the Jubilee legislator has what it takes to be Raila’s running mate.
“I could have picked Kanini as my running mate if I was Raila. He has what it takes, and he is qualified for the position,” Babu Owino stated.
Owino said he has worked with Kega and that the Kieni legislator is famous not only in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region but also in Raila Odinga’s Nyanza region.
“I have worked closely with Kanini, transversing several parts of this country. He is famous in Siaya where Raila comes from and in fact, he is celebrated there.
“The other day, he received a warm welcome in Malaba along the Kenya-Uganda border,” said the lawmaker.
Babu further urged Mt Kenya region to rally behind President Uhuru Kenyatta’s preferred successor warning them that they risk remaining in the opposition if they ignore the head of state.
With less than 170 days to the August 9, General Election, presidential front runners William Ruto and former prime minister Raila Odinga are both seeking to have their number two from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
The region which has over decades determined who becomes the president will not be fielding a serious candidate and has vowed to support the presidential hopeful who will guarantee them the majority of state appointments and a running mate slot.
Kanini, joins former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Narck Kenya party leader Martha Karua and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui as Raila Odinga’s potential running mates.
