The Wiper vice-chairperson has claimed that the only way for Deputy President William Ruto and the ODM leader Raila Odinga to win the August elections is by picking a running mate from the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking on the Citizen TV morning program on Tuesday, March 1, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr pointed out that all leading presidential candidates have limited options pertaining to their running mates.
“Both Raila and Ruto will have to contend with the fact that they will lose some support at the point where they choose who their lovebird is going to be for deputy president,” Mutula said.
Commenting on the debate surrounding the running mate position within the Ruto, Mudavadi, and Wetangula alliance, the Makueni senator said that the UDA party might disintegrate in the event Ruto chooses his number two outside central Kenya.
“It is true that the basic structure of UDA outside the rift valley is central Kenya, and without central Kenya on the table, and without a top seat in UDA, UDA will fall flat,” the senator added.
While defending the sentiments of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, Mutula said the outspoken UDA allied lawmaker was just stating the facts when he said William Ruto’s running-mate must come from Mt Kenya region.
“What Rigathi is not just telling Musalia, he is telling his boss DP Ruto that the running mate position is not negotiable,
“It is the same thing in Azimio l Umoja, without picking a Raila’s running mate from Central Kenya then the coalition is not there. It’s a reality and the faster both sides accept it the better,” Mutula said.
The sentiments by the Makueni senator mirrors the general opinion by most political pundits who have previously opined that the Mt Kenya region will be key to whoever wins the next presidential election.
The region boost more than 5 million registered voters and it is traditionally known as a region where people turn out in larger numbers to vote.
During the 2013 and 2017 elections, the region has posted a turnout of 95 % which contributed to the winning by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
