SABINA CHEGE REVEALS THE POSITION MARTHA KARUA WILL BE GIVEN IN AZIMIO LA UMOJA

Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege now says that Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has enough influence to sway the presidential election in Raila Odinga’s favour, if she is named the former premier’s running mate ahead of the August polls.

Her sentiments follow Karua’s Wednesday decision to join the Azimio la Umoja coalition after holding a series of consultative talks between her party and Odinga’s camp, with speculation mounting that she might soon be unveiled as Odinga’s deputy.

While welcoming Karua into Azimio, Sabina opined that the iron lady’s move to join Azimio had strengthened the political outfit noting that her involvement with the party will likely bring more votes for Odinga.

According to Sabina, who was speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive show, Karua’s proven track record in the realms of Kenyan politics has the potential to influence undecided and female voters to support Odinga’s bid.

“It is good news for all women in Kenya and the party that will pick a woman as a running mate. I am sure that is the party that most women will vote for. I think this will also encourage women seeking other elective positions,” she stated.

“So Martha coming in, if she is the one, then we are going to be very happy and I know that majority of the people that are undecided will vote for Azimio.”

Despite Odinga having yet to name his running mate, Sabina labelled Karua as one of the most qualified persons capable of filling the void that will be left by Deputy President William Ruto, as such the likelihood of her being named Azimio running mate should not be downplayed.

“She is very experienced and focused so I wouldn’t rule her out. Even when we held a meeting with Maendeleo ya Wanawake, they endorsed her and whoever candidate she decided to pick. She has also been in government during the late president Daniel Moi’s and retired president Mwai Kibaki’s governments,” said the legislator.

Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss, on her part, correspondingly stated that if Kenya Kwanza or Azimio endorse a female candidate for the running mate position, the coalitions would revolutionise Kenya’s political landscape.

“If Azimio had a female candidate then as a woman I would be pleased especially when it is a woman who is as strong as Martha Karua. I think that would be a step in the right direction in terms of encouragement for women to go for higher political positions,” Boss said.

She however alluded that the rumours that Karua might be named Odinga’s running mate should be taken with a pinch of salt owing to the fact that ODM and Azimio do not allegedly have many women members holding senior position within their hierarchy.

“ODM has not featured women in leadership. In Parliament, the leader of minority is a man and so is the minority leader in Senate as well as the chief whip in the National Assembly,” she said.

To further add onto her argument, Boss alleged that ODM only handed Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga a position in the finance Parliamentary committee after the March 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga, and not before.

“If you look at Raila’s campaign council the top seven people are male except Dr. Sally Kosgei…so, Yes, I think that they have a lot of redeeming to do. Even if they gave the position to a woman there is still a lot that needs to be done,” she said.

Courtesy