Three names Azimio panel submitted to Raila Odinga as potential running mates

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Running Mate Selection Panel has submitted the names of the 3 candidates it shortlisted for the position of Raila Odinga’s running mate.

The Noah Wekesa-led panel submitted the names to Raila albeit being in Kilifi County on a campaign trail to popularise his presidential bid.

The panel had rescheduled the presentation of the names to Raila from Wednesday to Thursday because Raila was in Tana River and Wekesa intimated he would be available on Thursday to receive the names.

However, the panel presented the names to Raila anyway since he cannot retreat from his current political engagements.

"This follows inability of the candidate to disengage from the political exercise he is involved in to come to us today to receive the report," Wekesa said.

Wekesa said the panel proceeded with the presentation to provide Raila with the opportunity to reveal the names of the 3 shortlisted candidates as its members remained tight-lipped about the names.

Raila is now expected to pick his running mate from the list of 3 candidates ahead of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) May 16, 2022 deadline for submission of running mates by presidential candidates.

According to Wekesa, the panel’s criteria for selecting the 3 eligible candidates for the position dwelled around several qualities, including vote mobilisation, technical campaign expertise and leadership dependability.

"The panel focused on the candidates' electability for votes mobilisation, leadership dependability and technical expertise in campaigns among others," Wekesa said.

The seven-member panel that comprised eminent persons drawn from various religious faiths and political parties interviewed candidates for the position on Monday and Tuesday at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi.

The panel drew the final 3 names from a list of 11 shortlisted candidates whose names were proposed by their respective political parties to fill in the position of Raila’s running mate ahead of the August election.

The candidates include Sabina Chege, Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, Martha Karua, Charity Ngilu, Peter Kenneth, Kalonzo Musyoka, Stephen Tarus, Peter Munya, Lee Kinyanjui.

However, Gideon Moi who was also nominated withdrew his candidature in favour of Kalonzo for the running mate’s position.