Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential secretariat has challenged Deputy President William Ruto to pick Kalonzo Musyoka as his presidential running-mate instead of pushing the Azimio team to settle on the Wiper leader.
DP Ruto and his allies have in the last few days blasted the ODM leader for mistreating Kalonzo by subjecting him to a vetting panel charged with suggesting a suitable deputy president.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday May 4, Raila Odinga’s presidential secretariat spokesperson Makau Mutua wondered why Ruto and his team are pushing for Kalonzo to be named running mate to the former prime minister.
Mutua urged Ruto to name the Wiper leader his deputy if he sincerely cares about his credentials.
“My advice to Williams Ruto, please pick Kalonzo Musyoka as your running mate if you care so much for him. Your hypocrisy is rich. Leave Azimio matters to us,
“Stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong, and is unwanted. Our process is inclusive/participatory. Yours is opaque,” Mutua said on Twitter.
Mutua’s comment come after DP Ruto took to Twitter to blast the ODM leader for humiliating the Wiper leader saying Kalonzo deserves dignity and respect.
“Though we are competitors,to subject HE Kalonzo to some humiliating ‘interview’ is impunity. We must unite to eliminate the culture of political deceit,the hallmark of some politicians. Whatever the circumstances every leader deserves some dignity and respect. Heshima si utumwa.” DP Ruto tweeted.
On her part, Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga said, “Kalonzo Musyoka doesn’t deserve the disrespect, humiliation, and contemptuous belittling he’s being subjected to currently. He doesn’t.”
Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula wondered why the former vice president has to defend his suitability before a panel full of Raila’s loyalists.
“He is at it again: disrespecting & humiliating his comrades. Now Kalonzo is to prostrate himself before Raila loyalists to demonstrate his “suitability” to be a running mate. Kalonzo Musyoka, you deserve better! The outpouring of anger is justified.” Wetang’ula said on Twitter.
Former LSK President Nelson Havi told the ODM leader to name Kalonzo his running mate without subjecting him to an interview.
“Kalonzo Musyoka SC, MP, Minister Education, Minister Foreign Affairs, VP 2008-2013, Running Mate to Presidential Candidate 2013, Running Mate to Presidential Candidate 2017. Baba Raila Odinga, you have your Running Mate. Stop listening to those raccoon interviewers. Run!” Havi tweeted.
The selection process created by Azimio has caused unease in Kalonzo’s camp with allies urging him not to show up for the running mate interview.
“The choice is his (Raila’s). If he wants to be the President, let him look for Kalonzo. I won’t advise my party leader to appear before any vetting panel to be told to say his names as they appear in the ID. That is rubbish,” Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo said.
