By Staff Writer
The 2022 presidential campaigns are in earnest. William Ruto has dropped all pretence of playing the meek deputy president waiting for his turn at the high table. President Uhuru Kenyatta has shown his displeasure with the DP who has popularized the ‘hustler nation’ narrative across the country. With his popularity soaring, the DP is faced with the hard task of naming a running mate who will further bolster his chances of ascending to the presidency. This writer takes at the leaders likely to be the DP’s running mate in the 2022 general elections.
Kivutha Kibwana
The Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana track record speaks for itself. He has been ranked among the best performing governors in the country over the years. Kivutha is among the governors who has stated that they will run for the top seat. His chances at the presidency are slim, a fact that he is well aware of. The DP handlers know that Kivutha will woo the middle class and this is the validation Ruto wants. The very fact that he is not a Kikuyu will also play to his advantage.
Musalia Mudavadi
Will ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi swallow his pride and play Ruto’s deputy? This is an offer the uninspiring ANC leader may consider given that the deputy president seat is protected by the constitution. Ruto knows very well that Mudavadi will bring the much needed Luhya vote.
Charity Ngilu
The DP has promised in the past that he will go for a female running mate. If this is the case, Ruto will definitely go for the charismatic Charity Ngilu who knows her way around politics at the very highest level. The Kitui county governor is a tough cookie and is more refined than the likes of nominated Nairobi women rep Millicent Omanga.
Aden Duale
He is among the senior-most leaders from the Somali community. Duale has been a loyal supporter of the DP and has suffered the consequences of being associated with him. He was kicked out as the Majority Leader after he differed with the Jubilee Party honchos. The Garissa Township MP has a national appeal.
Wycliffe Oparanya
Although he is the ODM deputy party leader, anything is very possible in politics. Allegiances and alliances are formed of politicians you never imagined would work together. The Kakamega county boss term in office comes to an end in 2022 and a proposition to be a running mate for a candidate most likely to be the next president will be too enticing to let slip. Oparanya will bring in the much needed Western vote.