Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth or Lee Kinyanjui: Who will be Raila’s 2022 running-mate?
Raila’s running-mate search heading into the 2022 presidential election has reached a fever pitch narrowing to 3 politicians from Mt Kenya.
Working with close confidants and political strategists from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s team, Raila Odinga’s think tank has agreed on giving the Deputy President position to the Mt Kenya region.
“The running mate will come from Mt Kenya, but we are yet to decide who that is. But obviously, the person must be loyal and well known to our candidate,” nominated MP Maina Kamanda told the Daily Nation.
In this case, the team has identified 3 politicians as Raila’s running-mate.
- Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua
- Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth
- Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
Those rooting for Martha Karua argue that she has the ability to excite the ticket and send opponents into a frenzy due to her nature as an iron lady.
But it is reported that some powerful people in Raila and Uhuru’s camp are uncomfortable with Karua’s abrasiveness.
For Peter Keneth, the strategists argue that he has the financial muscle and his image of a performer will propel Raila’s campaigns.
Also, there is a strong fear that Kenneth lacks political clout in the Mt Kenya region
On the other hand, Lee Kinyanjui has stood out as a Jubilee favourite and an appealing person to the corporate world.
However, his score is reduced by the fact that Nakuru County is considered a diaspora area of the Mt Kenya region.
The 3 Mt Kenya leaders have been fronted as Raila Odinga’s possible running mates, with the biggest dilemma being to choose one of them to fly the deputy president ticket in the 2022 General Election.
“Given what Uhuru has gone through with a negotiated deputy, that is not something you would ever wish for anybody. We are for the view that if we want Raila Presidency to succeed and serve this country, we should allow him a free hand to go to Mt Kenya and look for whoever he has chemistry with,” Deputy Minority Chief Whip Maoka Maore said.
