Deputy President William Ruto has weighed in on the public debate over plans by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition's advisory panel to interview Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the running mate position.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 4, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader stated it was humiliating for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to subject an ex-Vice President to panel interviews.
He argued that the move by the coalition led by Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta was aimed at shortchanging the Wiper party boss.
"Though we are competitors, to subject HE Kalonzo to some humiliating 'interview' is impunity. We must unite to eliminate the culture of political deceit, the hallmark of some politicians.
"Whatever the circumstances every leader deserves some dignity and respect. Heshima si utumwa," the DP stated.
The statement by the DP comes after Kalonzo expressed his reservations to attend the panel interviews scheduled between May 4 to May 10 during an interview with the standard.
“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,”
"It will present a challenge if Raila does not pick me as his running mate. That the panel will do all manner of things, conduct scientific opinion polls but we know the winning formula and so let us not beat around the bush," he stated.
In recent days, leaders from the Kenya Kwanza faction have been wooing the Wiper leader as the country gears up for the August 9 polls.
While addressing mourners at the burial of UDA chairman, Johnson Muthama's daughter, the leaders stated that they would welcome Kalonzo to their coalition in the event he felt uncomfortable in the Uhuru-Raila led coalition.
"We have taken everybody from that side. I even see Kalonzo joining our team in the coming weeks," Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, Kipchumba Murkomen stated.
However, their attempts to woo Kalonzo have been dismissed by a section of leaders from the Azimio side. While appearing in an interview on NTV on May 3, Murang'a Women Representative Sabina Chege claimed that the move by the Kenya Kwanza leaders was aimed at causing division within their coalition.
She claimed that the leaders were focused on the Azimio running mate debate to divert the attention from the looming fallout once Ruto names his running mate.
