Two of Kenya’s frontrunners in this year’s presidential election, Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have picked their running mates ahead of Monday’s deadline for presidential candidates to submit the names to the electoral commission.
Ruto picked businessman Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate while veteran politician Odinga named Martha Karua as his running mate, making her the first woman to run on a major political party’s presidential ticket.
Karua, a former justice minister, Constitutional Affairs minister and presidential candidate is from the central region which has one of the highest numbers of registered voters in the country.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on Monday, Odinga praised Karua for her zeal and human rights record.
“I needed a true Joshua on my corner, one who will not be a turncoat. After a long search and reflection, together with consultation, I have arrived at the decision that the holder of this position must be a woman,” Odinga said.
In her acceptance speech, Karua said she was happy to deputise Mr Odinga, congratulating her other running mate hopefuls.
“We are going to do more in the area of social-economic rights. Together, we can finally bring to life the dreams deferred,” she said.
Meanwhile, Gachagua said he would work with Ruto to address the country’s ailing economy.
Ruto is the presidential candidate of the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) coalition.
Gachagua has previously worked as a district officer and once served as the personal assistant to President Kenyatta during his stint as minister in charge of local government.
He is from Kenya’s largest community, the Kikuyu, whose support is vital in Kenya’s ethnically charged elections.
With no prominent Kikuyu politician running for president in the coming elections for the first time in history, the choice of a running mate is seen as crucial.
Kenyans will go to polls on August 9.
