Azimio women leaders want Martha Karua named Raila’s running mate

Azimio Women Group, the women politicians’ group rooting for Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, want NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua named Odinga’s running mate.

The group which was speaking on Monday at a meeting drawing 26 parties allied to the Azimio coalition described Karua as a seasoned leader whose impact as the second-in-power would benefit the entire country.

“One of the reasons that we were here is as simple as this: Martha Karua as deputy president. It is not rocket science, we do not see why you cannot see the value of Martha, she is a national figure who has been a minister and her record speaks for itself,” Public Service and Gender Programmes CAS Rachael Shebesh said.

“She is a committed woman known for her integrity and astuteness. We are now in the negotiation space for her, irrespective of which political party we come from.”

Also in attendance was Orange Democratic Movement’s women league leader Beth Syengo, Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu, and Karua herself.

“The rest of the names that are lobbying around Azimio, we wish them well, but we think our strategy might be the winning one,” added Shebesh.

Karua moved to the Odinga-led camp last month in a move that was construed as the coalition’s move to win voters from the sought-after Mt. Kenya region should she be selected as Odinga’s running mate.

“I am here to confirm that from now onwards Narc Kenya and I are supporting the Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and this is without any equivocation. I have said time and again, and NARC-Kenya believes in this, that as we move forward we must look for leaders who have a demonstrated track record of being selfless and putting the interest of the nation above theirs,” said Karua after her meeting with Odinga on March 23.

The Kirinyaga governor aspirant added that Raila’s 10 point agenda, which she says will change the lives of Kenyans for the better, also drew her into the Azimio coalition.

Meanwhile, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been pushing to be named Odinga’s mate, the latest being comments he made on Sunday that he is also from the Mount Kenya region, having schooled in Meru, and speaking fluent Kimeru. 

"Some people argue that the running mate must be a Kikuyu. I'm actually from the mountain. I went to school in Meru. I speak a little bit of Meru so in truth I'm part of the mountain," said Kalonzo.