2022 polls: Junet speaks of Raila’s possible running mate, dismisses Kalonzo
Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed has spoken of Raila Odinga's possible running mate in the 2022 race for presidency.
Speaking in a televised show, Junet dismissed a statement by WIPER party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who said that he will not be Raila's running mate come 2022 presidential elections.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but the most important thing is, are we seeing things the same way?" Junet said in the Wednesday, December 8 TV show where he appeared together with Wakenya Tujibebe party leader William Kabogo.
In June, Kalonzo said he would be the most stupid person to back Raila in his fourth quest for the presidency.
“For me, as of now, it is unthinkable that I, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, would support Raila Odinga for the third time…. I would be the most stupid fellow on earth to support him for the third time,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo's statement was followed by a warning from his key lieutenants who opposed the possibility of their leader deputizing Raila in the 2022 presidential race.
“Should our party leader ever make the decision to support the Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga for the presidency, we respectfully assure him of two very painful outcomes; he will go alone, and the millions of his supporters across the nation will never forgive him," Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said in September.
However, Junet argued that the time for real politics is yet to come.
"Time for politics is yet to start properly. When we had the NASA coalition, it was just four months to the general elections, it was in April 2017, so don't worry, things will unfold," Junet stated.
On his part, Kabogo mentioned NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua as a very experienced politician and one who can make a good leader.
"I am not speaking for her but we all have our weaknesses and some of them can be worked on. I also have my weaknesses but if you make me your deputy and ask me to do things linked to corruption, you know I will not," Kabogo said.
In his part, Junet also said that Karua is a very good leader while at the same time choosing not to be upfront on whether the NARC Kenya party leader can be Raila's running mate.
"Martha Karua for sure is a good leader, her stand on the issues that matter in the country is solid but whether she can be a running mate to my leader (Raila), that I leave to my leader because my recommendations are irrelevant for now," Junet said.
In November, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria fronted Karua as the best candidate for the country's Deputy President position claiming that politicians seeking the country's top seat are risky for the nation and that Karua is the most suitable anti-risk factor.
"All these people (Kalonzo, Musalia Mudavadi, William Ruto, Raila) are a risk to this country. I dare say without risk of contradiction. The de-risking factor is Martha Karua. We are safe in the hands of Martha Karua as Deputy President," Kuria said.
The Gatundu South legislator in his argument further said that in the event any of the four is elected President, Karua is the best candidate who can keep them on track as the Deputy President.
“When I look around, no one can tie the shoelaces of Martha Karua in terms of making sure the risk these people pose to the country does not interfere with the governance of the country,” Kuria said.
Kuria added that he has had the same conversation with Karua, insisting that the NARC Kenya party leader has been endorsed by many factions as the suitable running mate for all the presidential candidates.
“Why would we let all of Martha’s experience go down the drain? She can tell us about the Serena Talks, Koffi Annan, the clamour for multiparty politics, or her time as the Minister for Justice. That is experience,” Kuria argued.
