Top hopefuls not in hurry to name running-mates
Jeremiah Kiplang’at
Leading presidential candidates are not ready to name their running-mates,seven months to the General Election, opting to bid time to avoid hurting their chances for State House.
With a strong possibility, that naming a candidate risks rocking their campaign, the candidates have avoided setting a timeline for the much-anticipated decision, giving room to their supporters to engage in guessing games.
The candidates also appear to be waiting to checkmate their rivals in a bid to benefit from possible disagreements that may follow announcement of running-mates.
Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have not given any date to name those they will team up with, even though the clock is fast ticking towards the August 9 polls.
Coveted position
On Wednesday, the One Kenya Alliance (OKA)principals Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon Moi, Moses Wetangula and Cyrus Jirongo, said they would be retreating mid next month to study a technical report that could help them identify a flag-bearer and running mate.
Speaking to People Daily, senior UDA and ODM officials said talks were ongoing but there was no specific date to name a running mate for the presidential aspirants.
UDA chairman Johnstone Muthama said they were not in a hurry to announce Ruto’s running mate, revealing that they were still holding discussions on who to pick for the coveted position.
He said they had identified a number of potential individuals who possessed the qualities they were looking for. He said they would ensure the person advances the party ideals.
“We have not settled on anyone now but we have many qualified candidates for the position.
Our choice will not be based on a particular community or individual, but we are looking for someone who will promote the unity message we are pursuing as a party. Our intention is to bring all Kenyans together,” Muthama said.
He added: “We are in no hurry to name a running mate. We are within what the law requires of us. The IEBC requires us to present our presidential ticket by May.”
ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna said the party had not settled on any particular candidate for the crucial post.
“No we have not settled on anyone,” he said when reached for comment. He also added they had no definite period to do so.
For OKA, they have given themselves until next month to begin the search for the leaders to fly their flag.
“The process to identify our flag-bearer is at an advanced stage. In this regard, the OKA principals will retreat from February 18, to consider recommendations from the technical team, which is currently working on a comprehensive report, ” they said in a statement on Wednesday.
In the past, top presidential candidates bid their time before naming those they wished to team up with.
Before the 2013 elections, Uhuru Kenyatta struck a deal with Ruto in November 2012, three months to the March 2013 polls.
On the other hand, Raila and Kalonzo agreed to work together under the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) much later.
It was a similar case in 2017, although the two presidential tickets remained intact.
It was not until April when Raila confirmed Kalonzo as his running mate, for the second time after crafting the National Super Alliance.
Although Raila and Ruto, the two candidates who have publicly declared they will be in the presidential ballot in the coming polls, are still biding their time, they have been making telling moves that point at particular preferences.
Ruto appears to be leaning towards a candidate from Mt Kenya region in a bid to lock the millions of votes in the region, after falling out with President Kenyatta; thereby risking losing the political base.
During a visit to Nyeri last December, Ruto showed strong indications he might pick Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua; although others including Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru have been mentioned in the past as likely figures for consideration.
Last week, the DP said his focus was presently on strengthening UDA before deciding on who would deputise him.
Fitting candidate
“The running mate is a very important person in any set-up. You want a running mate who understands the whole matrix of the party, appreciates the amount of load we have to carry and knowledge of what the job entails.
It is not an easy decision to make and it is not a decision that can be made by an individual,” Ruto said.
“ Of course I will have the final say but there will be a consultative process. For now, we have decided that instead of looking for a running mate we want to make Kenyans first understand what UDA is all about,” he added.
Raila is also looking at picking his running mate from the same mountain region. He has strongly indicated his readiness to pick one from the area.
“People from Mt Kenya are my people and I am open to working with them,” he said recently.
A number of names have been floated for Raila’s ticket although none is yet to gain any favours as the frontrunner for the position.
They include former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua.
Kenneth has enjoyed closer interaction with the ODM leader, and the two met again last Saturday alongside Nominated MP Maina Kamanda. Pictures were later circulated showing them watching a football match in an undisclosed place.
Despite this, the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill that is being fast-tracked in Parliament might potentially force them to rethink their plans if it becomes law.
One of the clauses in the Bill, forces parties intending to form a coalition to do so four months before elections.
The period was reduced from six months after an amendment by Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya sailed through in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
If the Bill becomes law, the candidates may be forced to offer those they wish to enter into a coalition with, the lucrative running-mate position to entice them into a deal.
In this case, they will have to do that by April 9, shortening the time they could have wished to shop for a fitting candidate.
