Connect with us

General News

Kenya: Azimio Kicks Off Interviews for Raila Running Mate Amid Kalonzo Threats to Quit

Published

3 years ago

on

[ad_1]

Nairobi — The committee of eminent persons on the selection of a running mate for the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance flag bearer Raila Odinga have kicked off interviews.

The panel chaired by former Cabinet Minister Noah Wekesa is interviewing the 11 shortlisted candidates at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi.

First to face the panel was Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho who whose name was proposed by Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Others shortlisted include Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, Murang’a Women Representative Sabina Chege, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and KANU Chairman Senator Gideon Moi.

Others are Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, former Kenyan Ambassador to Australia Stephen Tarus, deputy ODM party leader Wycliffe Oparanya and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.

Kalonzo’s troops led by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua have vowed to walk out of Azimio if the former Vice President is not named Raila’s running mate.

“Let us be clear,” Wambua said Sunday, “we will leave, there is no question about it. Kalonzo must be Raila’s running mate.”

Interestingly, Wambua is part of a panel of eminent persons conducting interviews for 11 candidates shortlisted for the job with results due out Tuesday.

Mutua has already declared he will not attend interviews, with leaders loyal to him saying he is “overqualified for the job.”

“I want to tell all Kenyans that I will not attend the said process. I find the entire thing demeaning to my person and will therefore distance myself from it,” he said last week.