Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper party, has changed his mind and will now go before the Azimio advisory panel for Raila Odinga’s running mate interview.
The former vice president, according to a letter to the Azimio One Kenya Running Mate Selection Panel, will appear before the panel on Tuesday, May 10.
“His Excellency Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka SC, hereby states that he has decided to honour the invitation to attend interviews for the Azimio One Kenya running mate position that will be conducted by the panel of eminent persons,” the letter reads.
The former vice president is said to have made the u-turn after a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday.
Kalonzo had earlier stated that he will not be interviewed for the position as he was qualified.
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He also questioned why he had to take an exam to become Raila’s deputy.
“This issue is beginning to weigh heavily on me. I find it almost unacceptable discussing it… If this issue is solved earlier, it will give some of us the impetus to campaign,” Kalonzo said.
On Thursday last week, Kalonzo told residents of Sultan Hamud and Emali town in Machakos that he would not meet the selection panel.
“I have so much respect for the selection panel. Let them not perceive me as a rude person. But it’s Kenyans who have said that Kalonzo has been the Vice President to late President Mwai Kibaki for five years, Kalonzo has been Raila Odinga’s running mate from 2013 and 2017, what kind of interview is this which you are going for?” he asked.
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“I said in due respect that no, I will not appear for an interview.”
Kalonzo also stated that he gave up his 2017 presidential bid in favor of Raila, making him a good candidate for the position in contention.
Junet Mohamed, the secretary general of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance, had previously highlighted why the coalition must vet the person who will replace Raila in the August 9 elections.
The Suna East MP stated that vetting possible candidates is necessary because they do not want to end up with someone like the current deputy president.
Read Also: Kalonzo Deserves Respect – DP Ruto Chides Azimio Over Running Mate Interviews
“The guiding principle in identifying a running mate for the Azimio Presidential candidate is, we don’t want to have a deputy president like William Ruto,” Junet said.
DP William Ruto had on his part castigated the Azimio camp for subjecting Kalonzo to the vetting process. This he said as he noted that he (Kalonzo) was deserving of respect.
“Though we are competitors, to subject Kalonzo to some humiliating ‘interview’ is impunity. We must unite to eliminate the culture of political deceit, the hallmark of some politicians. Whatever the circumstances every leader deserves some dignity and respect. Heshima si utumwa,” he tweeted.
The interviewing panel on Monday interviewed Sabina Chege, Martha Karua, Lee Kinyanjui, Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho.
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