Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance panel tasked to name Raila Odinga’s running mate has included Muranga Women Representative Sabina Chege on the final list.
It, however, omitted 13 submitted suiters as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) deadline to name running mates closes in.
Flamboyant Chege is among seven who have been shortlisted as potential running mates, including controversial Wiper party leader Kanzo Musyoka.
Others are Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua, KANU party leader Gideon Moi, ex-Gatanga Member of Parliament Peter Kenneth and Ambassador to Australia Stephen Tarus.
The Noah Wekesa-led committee said it shortlisted the seven, with 13 locked out because they were not fronted by Azimio One Kenya Coalition constituent parties.
“The rest of the 13 applicants were not considered as they had not been submitted by the constituent political parties of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition,” said Wekesa.
Since Musyoka’s entrant into the Odinga-led Azimio, jitters have marred the coalition over his intention, at some point claiming that he was not aware of the detailed document which was presented before him to append his signature.
Chege stepped down from Muranga gubernatorial race on April 25, in what she claimed was poised to ensure the former premier clinches the presidency come August 9, 2022.
She was appointed a member of the national executive council of the coalition to popularise the coalition to Kenyans.
“As I move to the next level of leadership, I will build the momentum from here, I will serve with all the zeal and determination. Asanteni Sana Watu Wa Murang’a County,” said Chege.
According to her, she has been able to visit most parts of the country to drum up support for the alliance which she noted has been enabled by the ‘handshake’ between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga.
“The handshake which some people in the government were against, enabled the Jubilee administration to work smoothly and Kenyans can attest that roads, water, hospitals among other projects have been achieved during the second term of President Kenyatta.
“I urge people of Mount Kenya region to rally behind the president and the Jubilee party as it has laid the foundation for development in future,” she added.
Key political forces in the country who have endorsed Odinga as President Kenyatta’s possible successor are a majority of Cabinet Secretaries and the President himself.
All presidential aspirants including Kenya Kwanza flag bearer’s Deputy President William Ruto have until May 16, 2022, to present their surrogates before IEBC boss Wafula Chebukati.
