The ODM leader Raila Odinga’s lawyer, Paul Mwangi has dismissed the timelines by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that required presidential contenders to name their running mate by April 28.
Taking to Twitter on Monday, April 18, Mwangi said it was not logical for one to name a running mate before the person becomes a candidate.
“Political parties will present the names of presidential candidates to the Commission by Thursday, 28th April 2022. Those candidates will then decide who their running mates will be. IEBC cannot require a person to have a running mate even before that person becomes a candidate.” Raila’s lawyer twitted.
In an interview with The Star Newspaper, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati revealed that the commission expects all presidential candidates to submit the name of their running mate on April 28.
“We expect to know their running mates on the date when they submit names of the nominated candidates…either themselves as independent candidates or through the party, if a political party candidate, this being April 28,” Chebukati told The Star.
As Raila’s allies differ with the IEBC on the interpretation of the law, the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition is yet to have a consensus on the naming of its second-in-command.
Already there is still pull and push between Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and the Jubilee party over who should deputize Raila Odinga.
The Wiper leader and his allies have given demanded that Kalonzo must deputize the ODM leader in what could easily trigger acrimonious fallout.
But on the other hand, Deputy President William Ruto’s side is comfortable with the timelines given by the Chebukati-led commission.