Advisory panel to recommend suitable Raila Odinga running mate in Azimio

By Joshua Cheloti The Azimio One Kenya Coalition Council on Thursday, April 21, 2022, held its first meeting that discussed a number of issues. Chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the council that comprises Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, and Wafula Wamunyinyi of DAP-K among others resolved to appoint an advisory panel that will be mandated to recommend suitable candidates to be considered for nomination as running mate. According to Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohammed, the recommended candidates will be given to the coalition’s presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, who will then appoint one. “We’ve held a very fruitful 1st Azimio Council Meeting and the Council has resolved to appoint an advisory panel to recommend to the presidential candidate suitable candidates for nomination as deputy presidential candidate.,” Junet posted on his Twitter handle. The appointment of Azimio’s deputy presidential candidate has proven to be a hard nut to crack with multiple individuals eyeing the position. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been a vocal politician to demand the position, even as some forces within the coalition push for an individual from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region. Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua and former Gatanga Member of Parliament Peter Kenneth have been seen as front runners for the position from Mount Kenya. And with what looks like a stalemate over the parameters that will be used to appoint an individual that will deputize the ODM leader, a resolution to appoint an advisory panel to handle the matter can help calm the situation. Other resolutions reached during the first Azimio Council Meeting include the preparation of a campaign strategy that will ensure the coalition wins the presidential election and forms the next government as well as having the majority not only in Parliament but also in County Assemblies in all the 47 counties.