Governance expert Kevin Osido has weighed in on why the ongoing process to pick ODM leader Raila Odinga’s presidential running mate is critical.
In an interview with TV47 on Monday, May 9, Osido said the 77-year-old Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga is too old hence he will need a deputy president who is energetic enough to work on his behalf as well.
“If Raila Odinga becomes President, the person who will run the presidency will be the deputy. One of the reasons for this is his old age and this is why the running mate position is critical,” Osido said.
This comes at a time when the seven Member Azimio advisory panel is today Monday, May 9, expected to officially kick off interviews for Raila’s presidential running mate.
The Chairperson of the selection committee Noah Wekesa revealed that the panel has already decided on the criteria and the modalities of arriving at a suitable candidate.
“The panel has established the criteria and modalities that will be used to evaluate the applications that have been submitted and to determine the best three candidates,” Wekesa said.
As of Monday, May 9, a total of eleven candidates had been shortlisted for interviews to be Raila Odinga’s running mate.
Among those who have been shortlisted include Agriculture CS Peter Munya, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, and his Nakuru counterpart Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho have also been shortlisted for consideration.
Others are Murang’a Woman Rep Sabina Chege, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, KANU Chairman Senator Gideon Moi, and former Kenyan Ambassador to Australia Stephen Tarus.
Former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka considered among the front runners has however maintained that he will not appear before the panel for interviews.
“I want to tell all Kenyans that I will not attend the said process. I find the entire thing demeaning to my person and will therefore distance myself from it,” he said.
