The National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) has submitted the name of its party leader Charity Ngilu for vetting and consideration as Raila Odinga’s running mate.
The party submitted the letter to the Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya Coalition Advisory panel constituted to select Raila’s running mate.
“As a pioneering affiliate member of the said coalition, it gives us pleasure to submit the name of our Party leader Charity Ngilu for vetting, evaluation and consideration aforesaid,” read the letter by Narc Secretary-general Fidellis Nguuli.
The party cited Ngilu’s illustrious political career spanning over 30 years and her support for the former Prime Minister.
Nguuli said that Ngilu was also a founding member of the Building Bridges Initiative that brought the handshake reforms negotiated between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila to a referendum bill which would have greatly improved the lives of Kenyans.
The party said, Ngilu then became a founding member of Azimio la Umoja Coalition, rallying her Ukambani base to support the candidature of the former PM and she has traversed around the country to campaign for him.
“Given the foregoing, the Party wishes to forward the name of Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu for the coveted position of running mate and Deputy President to Raila Odinga in the forthcoming elections,” Nguuli said.
On April 21, Azimio-One Kenya Alliance’s top Council sanctioned a process to identify Raila’s running mate ahead of the August 9 polls.
The alliance’s top organ tasked a panel to recommend possible persons for the second-highest position.
“We have mandated an advisory panel to recommend suitable candidates for running mate,” Azimio Council Secretary-General Junet Mohammed said.
“The Council also resolve to appoint an advisory panel to recommend suitable candidates for the running mate slot.”
The Suna East MP did not however give timelines within which the panel should submit their report.
This comes even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati has called a crisis meeting on Tuesday to discuss the running mate deadline.
The commission decided to call the meeting after both coalitions, Azimio and Kenya Kwanza, protested the Thursday deadline.
