Raila Names Martha Karua as Running Mate

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga has named Martha Karua as his running mate.

Addressing the public from the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Monday, the former prime minister said Karua was the best person to deputize him.

Karua, according to the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), is a fighter who can be trusted the DP’s office.

“This woman is a fighter and is not a quitter. She has a safe pair of hands, seasoned by the struggle for our second liberation and service to the country in many capacities. This woman has a beautiful soul as exhibited by her love and passion for her children and grandchildren. This woman will be a great co-creator and will make a remarkable first deputy president of the Republic of Kenya,” said the former premier.

Read: Kalonzo To Vie for the Presidency, Picks Sunkuli as Running Mate

Making her acceptance speech, Karua said it is time for the Kenyan women to take charge.

“This is a moment for the women of Kenya. It is a moment my Late friend Wangari Maathai would have been proud of. This is the moment to usher more of us into the  National and county leadership,” said the former Gichugu MP.

“I am deeply honoured by the decision to be nominated as the deputy presidential candidate. It is a personal journey but also a national journey. Today, I recommit myself to fully support his Excellency Raila in his eternal pursuit of social justice and dignity for all.”

She added that it is only Azimio that can take the country forward. This she said, as she urged people to work with the Raila-led camp.

Read Also: Raila Accuses Kingi of Betrayal After Switching to DP Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza

Should the Raila-Karua ticket clinch the presidency in August, the former minister in the Mwai Kibaki government will also serve as the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Cabinet Secretary.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who has since quit the coalition will be appointed as the Chief Cabinet Secretary in Raila’s cabinet.

Kalonzo who has been Raila’s running mate in 2017 and 2013, on Monday bolted out of Azimio over the running mate post. He instead pledged to be on the ballot come August 9.

He picked Andrew Sunkuli as his running mate.

Read Also: Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua Backs Raila for President

Former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende will be the Senate Speaker, while Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya will serve as National Treasury CS.

Peter Munya will retain his current slot as Agriculture CS but will have an additional role as Chairperson of the Kenya Productive Sector.

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho will be the Lands CS and will be tasked with fighting historical land injustices at the Coast and across the country.