Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has dropped the clearest hint that he will be picking Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua as his running mate ahead of the August polls.
Speaking in Kirinyaga on Monday, May 2 during a meeting with the Azimio One Kenya Coalition candidates the ODM leader heaped a lot of praise on Karua terming her as a trustworthy leader who has dedicated her life to the fight for democratic freedom in the country.
“Sasa Niko hapa na dada yangu huyu(Martha Karua), tumetoka Mbali….hata wakati mama Ida alikuwa na Shida yeye ndiye alikuwa anamsaidia”/Raila said.
Loosely translated to, ” I am here with my sister(Martha Karua), and we have come from far with her…when my wife Ida, had problems it is Martha who was helping her.”
In the meeting, the ODM leader came under pressure from Mt Kenya leaders led by Interior PS Karanja Kibicho to name the Narc-Kenya leader his deputy.
“You have asked me about my sister Martha Karua, I will give you an answer later but I have heard your prayers,” Raila said.
As leaders continue to advocate for the Narc-Kenya leader, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party selection panel will start to interview individuals touted as possible running mates of presidential hopeful Raila Odinga from Wednesday.
But from indications, the former prime ministuer is likely to pick Karua, popularly known as the Iron Lady to be his running mate.
Some political analysts have opined that the vetting panel that was recently formed is just for formality purposes.
Others think that the panel is only meant to politely settle on a candidate from Mt Kenya without annoying the Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Having settled on the use of a vetting panel is a clear indicator that the ODM leader is not ready to name Kalonzo as his running mate for the August election
The Wiper leader recently questioned the wisdom behind him being subjected to a panel when he has previously been Raila’s running mate without going through the vetting process.
