Kalonzo to Vie for Presidency if Not Named Raila's Running Mate, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr Says

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr says Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will run for president if the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga does not pick him as his running mate.

Kilonzo indicated that the Wiper party has already collected 2,000 signatures across 24 counties in line with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) guidelines which will qualify Musyoka to vie for the presidency if he ditches the Azimio-One Kenya coalition.

The Senator noted that the Wiper National Management Council on Monday unanimously approved Musyoka’s presidential bid in anticipation of his exit from the Odinga-led outfit.

“We agreed that the signature collection should start immediately and be complete by Thursday; we are looking ahead. We cannot be begging all the time. We are ahead of the game,” he told The Standard.

Musyoka was among the 10 candidates interviewed for the running mate slot in the coalition alongside Nark-Kenya leader Martha Karua, former presidential candidate Peter Kenneth, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

Others were Murang’a Woman Representative Sabine Chege, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, and former Kenyan ambassador to Australia Stephen Tarus.

On Thursday, the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition running mate selection panel submitted the names of the top three candidates to Odinga to make a final decision. The panel’s chairperson Dr. Noah Wekesa said Odinga will reveal the identity of the three nominees.

Odinga, who is giving his fifth stab at the presidency, is expected to name his running mate ahead of the May 16th deadline set by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).