Kalonzo receieves an evening shocker minutes after latest Inclusion in Raila’s running mate shortlist
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).
Wekesa stated that there are now eleven shortlisted candidates with interviews set for Monday and Tuesday.
“We have arrived at modalities of arriving at three candidates who will be forwarded to Odinga. We will engage the candidates on 9 and 10. We will conclude our business on10,” he stated.
the name of Narc party leader Charity Ngilu was added on Friday.
The seven other leaders shortlisted include Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
Others are Murang’a Women Representative Sabina Chege, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, KANU Chairman Senator Gideon Moi and former Kenyan Ambassador to Australia Stephen Tarus.
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.
