ODM leader Raila Odinga has denied allegations that he has settled on former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth as his preferred running mate in the forthcoming elections.
Raila, who announced that he will be giving a fifth stab at the presidency is expected to appoint his running mate from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region in a move aimed at consolidating the GEMA votes.
But addressing journalists on Monday, March 7, the former prime minister said that the 2013 presidential candidate has not even made a formal request to be Raila’s presidential running mate.
He said the yet-to-be registered Azimio la Umoja Coalition will debate on the issue of the running mate at an appropriate time adding that for now, they are focused on creating a strong movement to counter William Ruto’s growing popularity.
“Peter Kenneth has not even asked to be a running mate. So we are yet to start talking about who will be a running mate. We are creating a movement. We will discuss the issues when the time comes,” Raila said.
Speaking at the same event, the former Kenneth said President Uhuru Kenyatta’s turf will support the opposition leader unconditionally.
“We are supporting the fifth without any conditions because we believe we are safe under Raila. Not just as a community but as a country as a whole,” Kenneth said.
The remarks come at a time when Kenneth is being billed as Raila’s most likely running mate in the August 9, presidential polls.
Opinion polls have ranked Kenneth ahead of Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua as the preferred candidate of being Raila’s deputy.
According to a recent opinion poll released by Mizani Africa on Friday, December 17, Kenneth emerged the most preferred Raila Odinga’s number one slot for the running mate position with 41.7 percent approval ratings.
