With President Uhuru Kenyatta's exit from political arena nearing, a number of governors and Cabinet Secretaries are lining themselves up for running mate positions in 2022 polls.
Most of them are setting up a political base which they will use as bargaining power. Although a number of them have not exactly said they want to be running mates, all indications are; they will be on ballot as running mates.
Top on the list is Agriculture minister Mwangi Kiunjuri, who is positioning himself as Mt Kenya kingpin. He's closely associated with Deputy President William Ruto.
“With Kiunjuri’s wealth of experience in the legislature and executive, it is time he was elevated to another seat. He is better placed to be Mt Kenya’s point man owing to his political experience,” said Laikipia Senator James Kinyua.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, second term governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi) have all been linked with the position.
Kingi has indicated that he will form a party to rally the coastal people into one direction.
“I am ready and prepared to lead the coast to unity so that we can have a strong negotiating tool,” he said.
Waiguru, Wa Iria, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former assistant minister Peter Kenneth are some of the leaders that have either expressed interest or have been propped for the seat.
Recently, Waiguru said that two leading Presidential candidates had approached her for the position of running mate. However, she said that she is weighing the options first.
“Some presidential candidates have approached me to consider the DP position,” said Waiguru.