Wiper party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has been ruffling feathers with demands to be nominated as running mate to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Diehard Wiper party members in Ukambani are strongly urging Kalonzo on as the date for Raila and Azimio Alliance to name a running mate approaches.
Among Ukambani leaders who have shown little interest in Kalonzo’s bid are Charity Ngilu who has even led the Azimio Women League to front Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua as suitable to deputise Raila.
The other leaders are governors, Prof. Kivutha Kibwana and Dr. Alfred Mutua of Makueni and Machakos counties respectively.
The above show of support and lack of it for Kalonzo by Ukambani leaders could be construed to mean either there are those who see his bid as serious and those who think it is a waste of time.
Either way, Kalonzo or his key supporters are sounding dead serious in their demands and unclear when talking about promises made to Wiper Party prior to Kalonzo’s entry into the Azimio Alliance.
It is noteworthy to state that many Kenyans, especially those supporting Azimio are not amused by Kalonzo’s demands because they are apprehensive this could rock Azimio boat and accords Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader, Deputy President William Ruto an upper hand in the presidential race.
It appears that Kalonzo’s and Azimio Women League are not the only ones demanding the running mate slot from Raila.
A member of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Mr Mpuru Aburi has come out guns blazing to demand that Azimio must nominate Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya as Raila’s running mate or else the Meru community be told why Munya is not fit to be deputy president.
Mpuru continues to demand that in the event Munya is not nominated as Raila’s running mate, then Azimio Alliance must reveal what appointment awaits him if Raila ascends to the presidency.
These demands by a cross section of leaders add to nuances indicating former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth is also a suitable running mate nominee for Raila Odinga.
I predict these are not the only demands for Raila and Azimio Alliance because there is likelihood similar demands will be placed on the table in due course.
That as it may, the big elephant in the room is yet to emerge and in the meantime, what Raila can do is to take measured steps as he handles the delicate decision about his preferred running mate nominee.
From where I sit, I have absolutely no quarrel with the demands by Wiper party, Azimio Women League, Mpuru Aburi or political pundits nor can I begrudge anyone such entitlements.
This is because, those demanding for Raila to nominate their choices are effectively giving Raila a template, while setting the bar on what kind of running mate he, Raila should nominate.
In essence, what these demands are revealing to Raila and Azimio Alliance is that there is a certain threshold to consider when selecting a running mate.
For instance, would Raila and Azimio Alliance really settle for a running mate whose experience, profile and stature is below Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka’s calibre?
Secondly, would the Alliance ignore gender and or ethnic interests when choosing a running mate?
Faced with such template, Raila and Azimio Alliance should burn the midnight oil and devise an acceptable formula or better still find a solution to this pressing issue of running mate nominee.
By and large, the bar these demands have set for Raila is too high to say the least.
The big question then is if it is not a senior and experienced leader like Kalonzo Musyoka, a highly regarded politician and legal mind like Martha Karua, emerging political leaders like Peter Munya or Peter Kenneth, who could Raila pick as his nominee for running mate?
I run the risk of being perceived as biting more that I can swallow by making a wild guess that Raila and Azimio might spread the net further and wide than the political class in the search for Azimio Alliance’s running mate nominee.
Few if any in the political arena are ready to face the fact that a running mate for the leading presidential candidates could hail from outside their circle.
Incredibly, there are non-politicians who are capable, qualified and fit to be nominees.
I therefore welcome like-minded Kenyans to scan the non-political arena and I am sure several names will appear on the radar.
Personally I have a few such persons who have distinguished themselves in different fields and disciplines, but I would rather hold my horses for now and not name them.
In conclusion, I positively view the ongoing demands on Raila and Azimio Alliance as healthy, beneficial to the Alliance and helpful to Raila as he navigates the delicate journey towards his ultimate desire to lead this country.
Otherwise if those demands are bad, what would be the reactions if by any chance Raila or even Ruto named a person whose qualifications are below those of the mentioned potential nominees for running mate?
Think about it Congoman.
Kaunda wa Muchunku
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