The manifesto leaned heavily on promoting social programs such as free education, health care for all and stimulus cash for the needy. It also included a pledge to make it easier for Kenyans in the diaspora to vote and invest in Kenya and promised to allocate a parliamentary seat to a diaspora representative.
Odinga is the head of a historic ticket that has a woman running mate. If elected, Martha Karua would become the first woman to become Deputy President and hold the second-highest office in the land in Kenya's 60-year history since independence.
Kalonzo Musyoka end weeks of speculation and returns to Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, accepting the position Chief Cabinet Minister and pledging to campaign vigorously for Azimio's flag bearer Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua.
When Karua told a crowd of hecklers to stop allowing themselves to be used by rich politicians to do their dirty jobs, she inspired her supporters. When she told them "kuja unipokonje hii microphone, she told them she was in charge, much to the delight of Azimio supporters.
The Wiper Party leader and his surrogates have acted in bad faith. But Musyoka still has a valuable role to play in Azimio. It's time to work things out with him, grant him tenure of office as chief minister, with caveats to prevent him from going rogue.
Raila Odinga names Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua as his running mate, ushering a historic moment in Kenya and empowering women, who are 51 percent of Kenya's population. The nomination, however, sent Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka packing, protesting and launching his own presidential bid. In his shadow cabinet line-up, Odinga offered Musyoka a chief minister position, similar to the position Deputy President William Ruto offered ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.
Opinion polls have shown Martha Karua to be the most preferred running mate for Azimio leader Raila Odinga. If nominated, Karua will be the first woman in Kenya's history to be nominated as deputy by a party that could win the election. She will be tasked with hunting for votes in the Mt. Kenya region, which has traditionally refused to vote for Odinga.
Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka are believed to be the finalists. Kalonzo, however, has scheduled a press conference where is he expected to part ways with Azimio Coalition.
By selecting Rigathi Gachugua, Deputy President William Ruto has made a major move in the heart of Mt. Kenya region and broken with the traditional power. But by snubbing former Vice President Musalia Mudavadi, Ruto may have ceded ground in Western Kenya and alienated some in the GEMA Nation who wanted him to name Tharaka Nithi Senator Kindiki Kithure.
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