D-Day for presidential, gubernatorial candidates to name deputies

Presidential candidates and those eyeing gubernatorial seats in the August General Election have until Monday (May 16) midnight to name their running mates.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which is working with strict election timelines extended the April 28 deadline for submitting the running mate names to May 16 following a consultative meeting between representatives of political parties as well as independent parties.

Deputy President William Ruto, one of the frontrunners in this year’s presidential election, Sunday picked his close ally Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate, a decision that was arrived at after a day of tense negotiations and which has caused a major rift within the coalition and among supporters.

Sources say a majority of Mt Kenya legislators rooted for Senator Prof Kithure Kindiki who was conspicuously missing during the announcement. As promised, the legislator is expected to make a statement on Monday.

Azimio’s Raila Odinga was expected to announce his running mate on Sunday but delayed it until Monday.

A dispatch from his communication office states that the unveiling will be done at the KICC from 8 am onwards.

The three probable deputies picked by the running mate selection panel for Azimio are Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth.

The two leading contenders had set their eyes on the Mt Kenya region which is expected to have a big say in who becomes Kenya’s next president.

If the Central region factor is what Raila will go by, then the contest will be between Karua and Peter Kenneth.

Karua stakes for the position are seemingly high with approval ratings from opinion polls placing her at the top.

Women lobbyists including Raila Odinga’s wife Ida have taken a stand and are pushing for the selection of a female candidate.

An influential Mrs Ida Odinga has expressed confidence that picking a woman would bolster the political participation of women and strengthen their leadership and influence in politics and public service.

Mrs Odinga made her choice known during the 70th-anniversary celebrations for the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu where she was the chief guest.

Safina Party Jimi Wanjigi will also be naming his deputy today. The August poll has attracted the highest ever contenders for Kenya’s top seat.

A record 46 independent presidential candidates have been cleared registrar of political parties by the among them Nazlin Omar, Nixon Kukubo, Muthiora Kariara and George Wajackoyah who has named Justina Wangui Wamae (35) as his deputy.

It however remains to be seen whether the candidates will make it to the IEBC final list.