How coalition horse-trading could leave Mt Kenya without a deputy president

From Left: Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM Leader Raila Odinga show solidarity after Raila was unveiled as the coalition flag bearer during the Azimio Coalition Rally held at Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi, Nairobi on March 12, 2022. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The fast-changing political landscape and newly-crafted coalition agreements are forcing bigwigs jostling to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta to reconsider the running mate position being a preserve of Mt Kenya region.

Pressure is now mounting on both Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader Deputy President Dr William Ruto and his Azimio la Umoja counterpart Mr Raila Odinga to consider doling out their running mate positions to leaders from other parts of the country in an intricate balance between amassing votes based on the tribal arithmetic and their parties having a national appeal.