Senator Wambua: I will not vote for Raila if he doesn’t pick Kalonzo as DP

Kitui Senator Enoch Kiio Wambua has warned that he will not vote for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Mr Raila Odinga if he will not pick Wiper Democratic Movement Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka as his deputy.

Speaking during an interview at Standard Media Group owned KTN News Monday evening, Wambua said Kalonzo was best suited candidate for Raila’s running mate position.

Wambua said failure by Mr. Odinga to pick Kalonzo as his deputy ahead of the August 9 polls will deny his (Wambua’s) vote and support.

“Personally, if he doesn’t pick Kalonzo, probably I will not vote for him,” said the first term senator.

During the interview which focused on the running mate position for the Azimio One Kenya Coalition, the vocal legislator said Mr. Musyoka was suitable to be a number two to Mr. Odinga since he had vacated his ambitions for the latter thrice in 2013,2017 and now in 2022.

Besides, Wambua who has been seen as a hardliner in pushing for the former Vice President’s political agenda together with Makueni MP Daniel Kitonga Maanzo downplayed the Azimio women caucus which is pushing for Narc- Kenya party leader Martha Karua to be Odinga’s running mate.

Mismanagement of public funds

The women’s’ formation was convened by Kitui governor Charity Ngilu who has been at loggerheads with Mr. Wambua after the senator called her out over alleged mismanagement of public funds by her administration.

The Kitui governor has also been a long-time political foe of Mr. Musyoka. Their frosty relationship during the Grand National Coalition Government is now shaping for a recurrence after Ngilu endorsed Ms Karua over Kalonzo.

But Wambua now wonders what magic Karua would play to bring the much-needed numbers for Mr. Odinga to clinch the presidency. He said the meagre votes which the former fierce Constitutional Affairs minister garnered in 2013 presidential contest is an indication that she wouldn’t marshal any meaningful numbers into Odinga’s votes basket as he seeks to be the fifth President of Kenya.

Wambua who is seeking re-election as Kitui Senator however indicated that Wiper party had gone slow on maintaining a hardliner stance on the running mate position. “For us as Wiper, a firm decision has been made, that from today you will not hear us pushing anyone to give us any position,” he maintained.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT