Kalonzo Makes a U-turn, Attends Raila's Running Mate Interview

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday morning appeared before the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential running mate selection panel for vetting.

Musyoka had earlier vowed to boycott the exercise, insisting that he was the coalition’s undisputed running mate candidate and appearing before the seven-member panel would be “demeaning to my person.”

"I want to tell all Kenyans that I will not attend the said process. I find the entire thing demeaning to my person and will therefore distance myself from it," he was quoted as saying.

Speaking after the session on Tuesday, Musyoka defended his decision to face the panel, saying he did it out of respect for its members, who include eminent persons.

“The decision to come was my decision because I realized that we didn’t want to give anyone an excuse whatsoever to say that I refused to come, so I am here. And if you look at the eminent persons and even the Bishops here, how could I have missed,” Musyoka told reporters.

Musyoka is among the 11 candidates shortlisted for the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga’s running mate slot.

Others are Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege, Nark-Kenya leader Martha Karua, former presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, former Kenyan ambassador to Australia Stephen Torus Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

Moi, who is the chairman of Kanu party, withdrew from the race and endorsed Musyoka.

The panel is expected to conclude the vetting exercise on Tuesday and forward three names to Odinga, who will then name his running mate ahead of the May 16th deadline set by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).