The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition selection panel searching for Raila Odinga's running mate has dealt Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, a major blow after it resolved to only engage willing applicants in the interview process.
The panel, led by veteran politician Noah Wekesa, said on Saturday, May 7, that it will not waste any more time and will proceed with the process of scrutinising the applicants.
Kalonzo was insistent on dialogue despite his Wiper party forwarding his application to the panel.
The panel further adjusted the list of applicants to incorporate Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Peter Munya, who has been nominated by his Party of National Unity (PNU).
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu was also added to the list after her Narc party nominated her.
Others are Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui nominated by Ubuntu Peoples Front (UPF) and his Kakamega counterpart, Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, nominated by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Speaking at a rally in Uura Grounds in Meru on Saturday, May 7, Agriculture CS, Peter Munya, asked his followers to continue praying for him to be selected as Raila's deputy.
"Let us continue praying. I see God being with us. Don't be afraid. Raila Odinga is mature and is not a rumour monger and with President Uhuru Kenyatta as the patron, we shall win this race.
"Shouldn't I be with them at the top? Then let us vote for Azimio," Munya urged.
Other than the four new entrants, other preferred running mates include Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, Governors Hassan Ali Joho (Mombasa), Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege, KANU's Gideon Moi, and former Gatanga MP, Peter Kenneth.
Karua, Kalonzo and Munya are touted as the top three candidates in the race.
As Kalonzo and his allies remain adamant that he will not face the selection panel, Karua on the other hand stated that she was willing to be interviewed for the running mate position.
“We also confirm Karua’s willingness and request to appear before the esteemed selection panel on Monday, May 9, 2022,” Narc-Kenya’s deputy secretary general, Asha Bashir wrote while fronting Karua's name.
Kalonzo demanded to have a sit-down with Uhuru and Raila rather than being interviewed.
"I was Raila’s running mate in 2013 and 2017, do you think Kalonzo Musyoka should be subjected to an interview?”
“This is not America. This is Kenya,” he argued while addressing a gathering at Emali, Makueni on Thursday, May 5.
Kalonzo's ally and Mombasa County gubernatorial aspirant, Mike Sonko, further opined that Raila would lose the presidential election if he opts to run without Kalonzo.
