[Opposition leaders in a past press conference. Fresh details indicate that they had settled on Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto as presidential candidate. Photo/Nation]
Fresh details on the intrigues surrounding the selection of a presidential flag bearer for opposition outfit NASA have emerged with the Bomet governor Isaac Rutto on the centre stage.
Prior to Raila Odinga’s selection, the team comprising of Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula had failed to agree on the technical committee report that proposed Odinga-Kalonzo ticket.
But for the first time on Sunday, Rutto, whose CCM party has since backed Odinga’s bid revealed that the four principals had settled on him before he willingly relinquished the honour to Odinga.
“They had picked me to be flag bearer because of Rift Valley factor. I thought it wise to first work for the people of Bomet before I take the honour,” said Rutto on Sunday.
He added: “I thought it wise to also propose the oldest among us and that is how we reached an agreement.”
Under the NASA deal, Odinga is deputized by Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi, who will be deputized by Moses Wetangula’s Ford Kenya and Rutto’s CCM, will be Premier Cabinet secretary.
Odinga is set to serve as a transitional president should he win in August and would support a younger candidate in 2022 elections.