Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have been caught off guard as the electoral commission is adamant they have only 10 days to name running mates.
In an Interview with the Star, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati revealed that they expect presidential candidates to name their deputies by April 28.
“We expect to know their running mates on the date when they submit names of the nominated candidates…either themselves as independent candidates or through the party, if a political party candidate, this being April 28,” Chebukati said.
This basically means Raila and Ruto have up to Thursday next week to name their seconds-in-command.
Seen as Raila’s potential running mates are Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Equity Bank Group CEO James Mwangi and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui
On Sunday, Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza team said they are ready any day to unveil their power lineup.
UDA chairman Johnson Muthama told the Star the coalition was fully prepared to nominate a candidate for deputy president.
“We have 11 days up to April 28 at 5 o’clock by close of business. A day in politics is like a year and 1,000 years in politics is like one day. We are content with the date,” Muthama said.
“We are fully prepared for that and we will give it to Kenyans at the right time. We are not late. We are not squabbling about it like those on the other side. You can see how quiet we are and know we are set.”
In Kenya Kwanza, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachangua and Kandara MP Alice Wahome are touted as likely Ruto running mates.
Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, a staunch Ruto ally, said they will comply with the timelines set by the IEBC.
“We know where to get our running mate. We have a list of potential running mates. We will pick one that will make the people of Kenya happy,” he told the Star.
