Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Presidential hopeful Raila Odinga on Monday, May 16, named Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua as his running mate.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Raila settled on Karua who scored the highest points among the contenders following interviews by the Running Mate Selection Panel.
The Azimio presidential flag-bearer added that he had been keen to have someone they could share ideology with and one who could be relied on. He also hailed her reform credentials - citing their history in the Second Liberation.
"We have decided that the holder of the Deputy President's office has to be a woman. I will describe this woman - at the age of 24 she became one of the youngest magistrates. She was also among the youngest parliamentarians when elected to office in 1992. When I was arrested and placed in detention, she led a team of 27 lawyers who defended me at great personal risk.
"My dear comrades, cometh the hour, cometh the woman, I have picked as my running mate, and Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Honourable Martha Wangari Karua," Raila stated.
The announcement came three days after Odinga received the names of the top three candidates from the Azimio advisory panel led by former Cabinet Minister Noah Wekesa.
"I picked my running mate through a transparent process that involved a running mate selection panel - a practice that should be adopted as it is being practised the world over in democratised societies," the former PM stated.
Karua welcomed her nomination, thanking Raila, the Azimio Council, the selection panel and the people of Kenya for the historic decision. She noted that she was aware of the new role and the huge responsibility accorded to her, terming it a collective privilege.
"People of Kenya, family and friends, I am deeply honoured by the decision to nominate me as the Deputy Presidential candidate for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party. I stand before you fully aware of the implications and symbolism of this moment and although I have the singular privilege to stand before you this morning, this nomination is truly a collective honour that can not be left for me alone to savour.
"I have been in the trenches with Raila Odinga, we have come a long way in the struggle and the fight for the second liberation. We urge you to please come and walk with us," she remarked.
Raila and Karua will face off with the Kenya Kwanza duo of Deputy President William Ruto and his running mate, Rigathi Gachagua.
Other politicians who were eyeing the seat include Peter Kenneth, Martha Karua, Governor Ali Hassan Joho, Charity Ngilu, Sabina Chege, Kalonzo Musyoka, among others.
Kalonzo had a few minutes before Raila's announcement declared his presidential bid and exited the Azimio coalition after missing the running mate slot. He was instead offered the position of Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Former Devolution PS Andrew Sunkuli was also unveiled running mate at press conference held at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka command centre.
"My brother Raila knows I am naming my running mate. He came to my house to try and convince me to accept his choice. We did not agree and he said he would choose Martha and I told him I would choose my own running mate," the Wiper leader stated.
All other candidates congratulated Karua on her nomination and committed to supporting the Azimio presidential campaign.
