Raila Picks Martha Karua as His Running Mate
Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga has named Nark-Kenya party leader Martha Karua as his running mate in the August 9th elections.
Odinga, who is giving his fifth stab at the presidency, unveiled Karua at a function held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on Monday afternoon.
“The office of the Deputy President is a workshop of the president, therefore, the occupant of the office must not be a competitor of the president but a co-worker,” Odinga said.
“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 his decision to pick Karua was informed by the need to have women included in the male-dominated political arena, describing her as a fearless woman who represented him in court during his illegal detention.
“That is why the holder of this office must be a woman. History is calling us to produce our first female Deputy President. She [Karua] is a fighter, not a quitter. This woman has a beautiful soul as exhibited by her love for her children and grandchildren. She will make a great co-worker,” Odinga added.
Karua was among the 10 candidates interviewed for the running mate slot. Others were Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former presidential candidate Peter Kenneth, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Murang’a Woman Representative Sabine Chege, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, and former Kenyan ambassador to Australia Stephen Tarus.
Comments (38)
The best choice ever. This has changed the game. This is the winning team. The first woman DP.
I agree with you. As a long time political analysist I knew if Raila was wise he would settle for Martha Karua. The choice is a game changer in many ways: First Martha-Raila combo will curtail Uhuru's hand in the next administration. Uhuru's intention is not to retire from politics or being Kingpin of Mt Kenya. He cannot retire because there is no one in Kenyatta's family who can step in to protect their vast interests but with Martha Karua now being the most prominent Mt Kenya region Uhuru will find it difficult to maneuver his way out the way it has always been for the family. It will continue to enjoy protection but at a diminished level. So we can say the appointment of Martha Karau as Raila's running mate is the beginning of the end of Kenyatta's dynasty; remember I have predicted Raila will be the next President of Kenya regardless of the true outcome of the election. Kalonzo's decision to run for Presidency will help Raila because there is now a reputable candidate to give rigged or stolen Ruto votes. Before it would have been subdivided among the
@Yusuf and that is one of the reasons why RaRua team will get my vote.Very well said. Mt. Kenya needs a change of the kingpins and I will take Martha anytime.
I agree with you. As a long time political analysist I knew if Raila was wise he would settle for Martha Karua. The choice is a game changer in many ways: First Martha-Raila combo will curtail Uhuru's hand in the next administration. Uhuru's intention is not to retire from politics or being Kingpin of Mt Kenya. He cannot retire because there is no one in Kenyatta's family who can step in to protect their vast interests but with Martha Karua now being the most prominent Mt Kenya region Uhuru will find it difficult to maneuver his way out the way it has always been for the family. It will continue to enjoy protection but at a diminished level. So we can say the appointment of Martha Karau as Raila's running mate is the beginning of the end of Kenyatta's dynasty; remember I have predicted Raila will be the next President of Kenya regardless of the true outcome of the election. Kalonzo's decision to run for Presidency will help Raila because there is now a reputable candidate to give rigged or stolen Ruto votes. Before it would have been subdivided among the rest 47 candidates but the problem with that is that none of them is well known. So long as Raila gets 50+ Ruto and Kalonzo can divide the 49% with Kalonzo going with 1% and the election will look fraud free
Tumekwisha!
@daima - just look across the other side and rethink what you just said.
With Ruto and Rigathi, Kenya imekwisha! Kenya can’t afford two known thieves running the country. They talk good game lakini wao they are crooked thieves.
Kenya needs Rarua Team to bring the needed change.
@ali like junet said the race is between baba na mama vs mwizi na mwizi. Now up to Kenyan
To choose one.
I have a very strong feeling that Mwizi na Mwizi (Ruto and Rigathi) have sensed defeat because they are the darkness of kenya should they be elected. I also believe Kenyans will not vote for two crooked thieves who have stolen everything they have come across.
Both of them (Ruto and Rigathi) have pending corruption cases that are yet to be determined. Ruto and Rigathi are finding a way to not be held accountable by corruptly getting into power.
Rarua Team is very clean kama pamba. They will deal with corrupt elements and get our money back from the thieves. Kenyans will vote for Rarua Team because they want kenya to have a clean beginning.
Assmio is completely dumb n done.2013 when Martha ran for President she only garnered about 48000 votes so can somebody tell me where were the women then??Or they were not born.So don’t bank too much on Karua votes.Assmio will b beaten by 3 n votes by husler nation
You reason like WSR taking a dump out his mouth. That’s all fool. We know in the Rift Valley women have no say. Kimia wewe pubafu. Mwizi wa Ruto.
9 years in politics is like a century in real life my fren
While am happy for Karuas choice for what she stands for, I am skeptical if she would work with chest thumpers. If only she couldn’t work with Kibaki government, one wonders how she would work with ODM hooligans.
Raila by promising the likes of Joho in cabinet positions is a misplaced venture. As much as these positions are presidential appointees, they are indeed subject to confirmation by the house. Not guaranteed.
Your asinine guy Ruto promised several positions mostly to those he steals with. Now your mind has started getting clustered real fast. Shut the hell up.
The Karua choice for a DP is the best choice ever made for a presidential running mate. The country is well pleased with RAO choice for his deputy. Congratulations to the Kenyan people. It is all a win win situation.
perfect combo. They may be the only two in Kenya that are not corruptible today.
We need a team that will smoke out the UDAku thieves starting with the chief thief Ruto. Corruption must end in kenya come what may. It’s about time to get ride of the UDAku thieves.
Mundu wa Nyumba aka @sokora. Karua must be your REASON for your☝REASONING. Not Raila; and I say this because @sokora You've never been Raila's fan. You've for 16 yrs been for KibaLonzo + UhuRuto. Your Blood in the "Perfect Combo" is Thicker than Water.
Kenyans must give RAO credit for being the first presidential candidate to include the large number of women voters in the high table. It takes a statesman like RAO to do such a thing.
It take a very courageous and visionary leader to bring a country together. The Raila/Karua ticket is a winning ticket no matter how anyone may want to spin RAO’s choice for the DP.
My two daughters have a good example to look up to and be proud that they can be a DP or presidency dent of the Republic of Kenya. This is very huge folks.
Now folks, let us all get out there and vote wisely to bring a good change and make history for Kenya.
Raila did it the Bideb-Kamala😁👩🦳 style.
We are behind you RAO and MK. Congratulations Martha, Thank you Fifth President RAO. Kenya will have the change we have always desired. Hurray!!!!!
Before you celebrate, remember Joho will be Lands cabinet Secretary... Karua will be policing her cabinet colleagues!
Don’t speak for me.
This will go down in history!
Raila made a superb choice of deputy president, literally killed three birds with a single stone.
Female, clean/corrupt free and from the right geographic region.
Ladies and gentlemen, here comes Kenya's fifth president and his deputy!
Thank you BABA way to go
I admire the principled and fearless Martha Karua!
Let the games begin. Smart move Rao!
That's my gal...FINALLY!! Mungu ni mwema. Call it MarthaRao, Karao, RaoKa....ritwa ni ria gukuria mwana. The game has taken a new direction...
Uhuru has weakened Raila to the max. He's deflated a giant. He will retire the man peacefully. Congrats to Martha meanwhile as 1st born woman potential DP. 43k votes last time she ran for President. Same league as Dida and spoilt votes.
A fresh breath of air in kenya politics today. First time a presidential candidate and the running mate are free of corruption, graft and theft.
On the Ruto side, both the presidential candidate and the potential DP are thieves and whiners.
A new dawn is here for kenya. Unawezakana to have a clean country where our youth can now see a good future with Rarua!
New dawn? Or new damn? These are not new people. They are very old folks. No wonder what they talk is all about yesterday. History. Kenya needs people talking about and tomorrow.
Karua could not even win in her backyard as governor.
She ran for president and as a woman but only got a handful votes. What has changed?
Raila in the other hand has been running as president four times. And now he is running on a presidential ticket selling the past.
Liar @assista. The Ruto guy you are glorifying is a huge thief. He picked Rigathi another thief so they can both hose out our country.
Ruto ain’t young either at the age of 56 and he is still stealing like a lonely school boy stealing candy from the cookie jar. Open your damn eyes and see the coming defeat. It you can’t see far because you are a tribal sycophant for Ruto. It’s folks like you who allow Ruto to keep on stealing in the mane of the kalenjin tribe.
Why are you so worried about Ms Karua’s backyard? Just worry about your Surgoi backyard and how your Ruto have turned it into a corruption backyard. Do you want me to remind you of some many things Ruto is very guilty of? Do you? Ruto is very befit to be the next president.
Post Uhuru.It seems today that the two main contemporary leaders in kikuyu politics are karua and rigathi. Of the two, who will carry the day? The answer to this question will be decisive for the presidential candidates.
Raila took a page out of Biden’s book. Picking a woman running is a “safe” bet this day and age. You’ve secured plenty of women votes.
Woi baba tumekwisha.After all the hype surely uko serious huyu bado a shugulikia mambo ya governor na si popular.Mambo ya campaign huyu ataweza kweli ama ni maringo na kichwa ngumu saa zote
Raila Amolo Odinga has made history in Kenya today. Martha Karua we welcome your nomination with hearts full of joy. Martha Karua formed a team of lawyers that came to the aid of Raila when he was in detention. So watch out for anyone who EVER puts the tribalism agenda ahead of everything else as a Kenyan. Ruto arap Mashamba was banking on tribalism. That since he has found favor in the people of the mountain, that Raila Amolo Odinga wouldn't garner any votes in Central Kenya! His plan has failed as will all the other wicked and corrupt plans he and his followers have had for the country. He underestimated Raila's ability to unify and get His Excellency President Kenyatta's approval and blessings. He doesn't have it in him because naturally he is one to habor animosity and grudges. Now Kenyans especially Central Kenya, wherever you are- let us make history. Cast your votes in droves for RAILA-KARUA Ticket. Women, you have NO EXCUSE of not being recognized nationally because of your gender. This is what has been the missing key piece in Kenyan leadership today- A woman at the helm. Both Raila and Karua are seasoned politicians who have literally given their all in the fight for the second liberation. Ruto and Gachaua still have a chance FORMING the NEXT OPPOSITION GOVT. They are young enough and have room to Prove to and be ANSWERAE TO KENYANS. They still have time to prove themselves worthy leaders Kenya deserves. I am happy to be a witness to this auspiciousness in Kenya. Long live RAILA and KARUA! Long live KENYA!
Very good message to all Kenyans. But I want you to directly send this message to Cate Waruguru who is now talking out of bitterness.
She is still eating the bloody money from Ruto. She is a huge traitor. She says that she is a preacher but fails to see the Sunami that is coming with Rarua.
Kenyans everywhere will vote for the Rarua ticket. Tell Cate to keep on dreaming with her boyfriend Ruto. There will never be a Ruto presidency in kenya.
Poor choice.
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Kenyan culture and society is largely patriarchal, even women have shown in surveys that they would choose men over women as leaders, yes, those surveys have been done,
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It takes at least 2 generations to groom a society to accept gender equality and vote for a woman as president. Feminism in Western world started in 1920's, it took them close to 60 yrs to get first woman president and to this day, US is still struggling to elect a woman as president. Hillary Clinton.
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To ask men to choose a woman in a senior govt position without spending years to groom and change societal mindsets is a bad idea, it won't win an election. Kenya is largely rural, move outside Nairobi and see how pple are steeped in their cultures.
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The other fact, is that Martha Karua is not a likeable person. Generally, pple do not like tough talking, strict and stern people, we don't even like being around them. Think of tough teachers or tough parents, how many pple like them? People with those kind of personality are fit for cabinet positions that are full of inefficiencies and needs some tough person to get things working, but they are not fit for endearing people and bringing in votes.
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I have watched Raila campaigns in the last two elections, and each time, I always see him making mistakes and wrong strategy. This time, he made a wrong choice of a running mate.
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It's really sad to spend all your life trying to get something and failing to attain it. Raila should have known when to stop trying.
Keep living in the Stone Age where you oppress women like WSR does. Even your own mother knows better and she is about to hit you with a damn mwiko in your ugly crooked face.
Your shriveled two balls between your legs surely has not made you mature up. You aught to be very ashamed of yourself talking about women and demeaning them while your rotten mind is stuck in my pussy!