[NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka. The pair has been endorsed for presidency during the forthcoming polls by Ukambani leaders. Courtesy: The Star]
Opposition coalition NASA has been handed a key boost ahead of the forthcoming general elections, following the endorsement of the outfit's presidential line up by key Ukambani leaders.
The line up will see former Prime Minister Raila Odinga flying the coalition's presidential flag, with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka deputising him.
The endorsement comes after weeks of tension and anxiety in Ukambani region after the unveiling of Mr Musyoka as Odinga's running mate, with pundits arguing that the region could experience voter apathy due to disillusionment over the line up.
The ticket is a replica of the 2013 general elections that controversially lost to Jubilee's Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.
But speaking on Friday during a meeting at Machakos Golf Club, the Ukambani leaders noted that the community was contented with choice of Kalonzo as running mate, pledging unwavering support during the August polls.
"I have heard some people say that we were shortchanged but this is not true," Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana said.
"Our son Kalonzo negotiated in the best way possible. As a community, we are proud he will be a Deputy President in the NASA government," he added.
Previously, National Assembly Minority Leader and Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze had expressed displeasure in the NASA ticket, claiming that the Kamba Community had been given a raw deal.