Azimio running mate panel hands final list to Raila

The Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition running mate selection panel has submitted its final list of candidates recommended for the position of presidential candidate running mate in the upcoming August General Election.

The committee led by Dr. Noah Wekesa announced on Thursday that it had submitted a list of three names to the coalition’s flag bearer Raila Odinga.

Dr. Wekesa declined to reveal the three names, only stating that the final pronouncement would be made by Odinga, who was on a campaign tour of the Coastal region.

“The panel has dispatched its final recommendation to the candidate (Raila Odinga) this morning. This follows the inability of the candidate to disengage from the political activity he is engaged in to come to us to receive the report,” said Dr. Wekesa in a press briefing.

Nonetheless, the committee outlined the criterion used in picking the three final candidates from a list of 11 individuals. This includes the candidate’s constitutional qualification, understanding of government, personality, political acumen, loyalty and compatibility with the coalition’s candidate.

Also considered was the candidate’s strategic significance, and fight against corruption among others.

“The candidates had also to give the panel their understanding of key challenges facing Kenya and their proposals on what should be the Azimio governments priority upon taking over,” said the panel.

The Dr. Wekesa-led team further stated that emphasis was laid on electability, capacity of vote mobilization, transformative leadership, dependability, political tolerance and technical expertise in political campaigns.

The three names, the panel stated, had been submitted in order of priority.

“All members of the panel participated in the exercise and evaluated each and every candidate. The final decision was reached by averaging the individual contribution of each candidate,” added the panel.

Others are Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, deputy ODM leader Wycliffe Oparanya and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui. KANU Party chairman Gideon Moi who had earlier been shortlisted opted out of the race to endorse Kalonzo.