Jubilee Party Director for Elections and Kieni Member of Parliament, Kanini Kega, says the party and Mt Kenya region as a whole will not dictate to Raila Odinga on how to pick his running mate for the August 9 presidential election.
In an interview on KTN News Monday, April 4, the Legislator stated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party boss will have the freedom of choosing his preferred running mate without being given any conditions by any faction.
Kega explained that the freedom will help Raila choose a candidate he is comfortable with and one who will have a cordial working relationship with him.
He cited the strained relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto that has been witnessed during the second term of the Jubilee administration, saying that the bad blood stemmed from dictatorial tendencies of one party.
"For us in Azimio, we are giving our presidential candidate the free hand to nominate the person he feels that they would have a working chemistry and a person he trusts will help with work as a pair," he stated
Kega added that Raila's allies from the vote-rich region will continue offering support to him even if he chooses a candidate from another region.
However, he stated that the running mate must be someone who will bolster Raila's numbers to secure a win in the highly contested polls.
"We are not giving conditions. We are not saying that the candidate must come from the mountain. We are asking him to use his wisdom to choose a candidate that will work with him but also add votes to his basket.
"The person is not just going to be chosen for the sake of it. We want someone who will add what Raila already has," Kega explained.
The sentiments by the Kieni MP come weeks after Jubilee Vice Chairperson, David Murathe, explained that the region was keen on getting a good share of the Azimio La Umoja government rather than the running mate position in the event Raila wins the August 9 polls.
Murathe explained that the party was rebranding to ensure it increases the votes Raila will get.
"We have a party which we are rebranding, the next thing is to kick out UDA from the region. For us, we just want a fair share of government. Our support for Raila is unconditional. What we contribute to that government, we will just want a share," he stated.
Among those who have been fronted as possible running mates for Raila include Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Peter Kenneth, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, and Lapikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
