Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka might be picked as Raila’s presidential running mate for a record third time if the recent remarks by Jubilee party vice-chairman David Murathe are anything to go by.
There have been speculations that presidential front runners Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto were sourcing for their running mates from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region in their bid to woe the huge voting bloc to their baskets.
However, in an interview with KTN News, Murathe, a close confidant of President Uhuru Kenyatta said Raila Odinga’s running mate slot is not reserved for the Mt Kenya region.
The Jubilee party vice-chair argued that the recent entry of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka into the Azimio la Umoja and he dropping his presidential bid to back Raila altered the long-held view.
“So I don’t think for us the DP position is a priority if we get fair representation in government. Maybe for the other side, it’s a priority,” Murathe said.
The former lawmaker said sharing of positions could have been easier if the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) could have sailed through.
Murathe, a fierce critic of the deputy president said, unlike the UDA brigade which is enticing the GEMA region with a running mate slot to have a slice of the vote, Raila is not banking on Mt Kenya votes to win.
He said the former prime minister would automatically succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 9, General Election even if he does not get votes from the Mt Kenya region.
The top Jubilee official stated that whatever votes Raila gets from Mt Kenya would be just an addition to his win.
“These people (Kenya Kwanza Alliance team) have hypothecated their whole game on Mt Kenya votes but even without Mt Kenya votes, Raila will still be the President,” said Murathe.
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui were among the front runners for Raila Odinga’s running mate from the Mt Kenya region.
