'It's not disrespect, DP Ruto was also interviewed,’ Sabina Chege says on Kalonzo vetting

Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege has dismissed claims that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party is disrespecting Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Chege says that the party's move to subject Kalonzo to a vetting panel for the running mate position alongside other leaders was not meant to disrespect the former vice president as is being alleged.

She pointed out that Deputy President William Ruto also went through what was described as an interview to be handed the UDA Party presidential ticket.

“Humility is a virtue; we saw the DP going for an interview and answering questions for him to be confirmed as a presidential candidate for his side,” Chege said in an interview with NTV on Wednesday night.

She added: “I don’t think that was something we can say was lack of respect.”

Chege claimed that the Kenya Kwanza team is focused on causing chaos in the Azimio camp by inciting the Wiper leader to abandon his faction. She highlighted the Monday instance where UDA allied leaders were alleging that Kalonzo was not recognized during the late President Mwai Kibaki's burial.

She sought to assure Azimio supporters of efforts to have negotiations which would come up with the best leader among all applicants.

Makueni County Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior who was also on the panel reiterated the Wiper party’s stand to have Kalonzo picked as Raila Odinga’s running mate without undergoing any vetting process.

“If you were to ask who Kalonzo Musyoka is, everybody knows Kalonzo. To subject Kalonzo to an exercise of telling us who you are… what you can do is unacceptable,” Mutula said. 

He added: “The perception created is wrong, what are you vetting? DP position is a personal issue. Is a president in waiting… it will take us several election cycles to get to a position where you can be considered for deputy presidency position,” Mutula said.

Citing Kalonzo’s popularity in the country, Mutula opined that the Wiper leader had time and again exceeded expectations in terms of his leadership ability and his political command.

"It’s a question of how you treat people. Retreat into a room. There is nobody on that list who can deliver more votes than Kalonzo. Kalonzo will give you votes you cannot get from anywhere,” Mutula argued.

In response to the Mutula’s sentiments, the Murang’a Woman Rep reaffirmed the coalition's confidence in Kalonzo saying that the leadership would arrive at the ultimate decision after the panel had made the necessary consultations.

“I want to assure Mutula Kilonzo that Kalonzo is one of the most respected in our coalition, he is a big pillar and the person we wouldn’t want even to upset is a Kalonzo Musyoka; please don’t allow these inciters to come between us, we have a relationship, “ Chege reassured.