Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has rubbished claims within Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance that the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga should be deputised by a candidate from Mt Kenya region.
Speaking on Sunday, April 17 in Nairobi, the Wiper leader argued that he is also from Mt Kenya region and deserves the slot.
He further reiterated that he was the best candidate to serve as Raila's running mate owing to the support he has shown the Azimio la Umoja presidential aspirant, his experience and having sacrificed his ambitions.
"What else can a man do besides saying 'my brother Raila Odinga tosha for the third time?' What am I supposed to give, my neck? I will really look for votes for Raila. I believe he makes a better president than William Ruto.
"Stop telling the people of Mt Kenya region that Kalonzo is not a Mkikuyu, I am. Therefore, the Kikuyus and Tharaka and everybody else must get to be deputy president or president in order for this country to progress, please pray for them. Now, Kalonzo is beyond a Mkamba," he stated.
Kalonzo also maintained that for the running mate slot, the discussion was gravitating between President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila and himself.
He argued that he was third in command as per Kenyatta's gazettement as Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition's chair.
Earlier reports had indicated that under the new structure, President Kenyatta has five members in the Azimio coalition council, Raila has four while Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka has one council slot.
The council members have been mandated to use a scientific method to determine Raila Odinga's running mate. This means that both Uhuru and Raila have sweeping powers in the council as the clock ticks towards April 28, when all parties must submit names of their running mates.
It is reported that Uhuru has tasked the committee of five of his trusted members to conduct several scientific opinion polls in a bid to evaluate the popularity and suitability of two preferable running mate candidates.
The committee will then present a report to Uhuru who will then table it to the council.
The leaders fronted as the potential running mate include Kalonzo, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, NARC-Kenya party leader Martha Karua, Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi and his Nakuru counterpart Lee Kinyanjui.
