Karua: I'll not be a running mate, will do my best to be opposition's candidate

According to the political premier, she does not intend to become a running mate in the run up to the polls but she is open to support the candidate who will be chosen without being their deputy.

"I will not be a running mate. I will do my best to be that united opposition candidate, but should somebody else be chosen, I am willing to support them without being their running mate," she said during an interview on Citizen TV's Sunday Live show.

She added that despite the much coveted position in the United Opposition, which has attracted three other political mavens, she is confident that she will stage a stiff campaign to win the nomination.

The PLP boss added that to iron the contentions between the interested flagbearers, the opposition needs to ink a joint document dictating the rules of engagement and a pact on abiding by the decided flagbearer.

"I think that is a question that each of them should answer. I long for the day that we will have a written document as the opposition, rules of the game, which everybody signs committing to abide by those rules we shall have agreed on and to abide by the outcome and to support if you are not the one, support whoever is," Karua added.

"For us to tell Kenyans that it will really happen we need to sign that document. It is prepared but waiting for a retreat. We also need a joint manifesto so that everybody feels like they fit in."

Likewise, the former running mate in the 2022 General Election said that the PLP party has been running an independent campaign to expand its membership across the country as well as scout for qualified candidates who will vie under the party's ticket.

"We are up and running with we are calling purple train because it is a move by the party to widen its membership and its candidate base. You cannot hunt for candidates jointly. Although we belong to the united opposition we have taken time to market PLP and increase membership," she noted.

The United Opposition has been put to question over who will face President William Ruto in the 2027 polls as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee's Fred Matiang'i, DCP's Rigathi Gachagua and Karua have expressed interest in the nation's top seat.

The ruling Kenya Kwanza administration alongside critics have censured the faction, saying they are a confused political team and have no trustworthy manifesto to offer to Kenyans.