On May 21, 2022, the nomination of Martha Karua as the running mate of Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga sent shockwaves through the Mt Kenya region, bringing a fresh angle to the August 9 State House race.
With Raila's advanced age being a major concern, many are speculating that Karua could become the President if Raila were to pass away or step down.
Deputy President William Ruto, on the other hand, settled on Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his deputy, setting the stage for a potential showdown between Karua and Gachagua in the Mt Kenya region.
The stakes are high, and both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza Alliance are racing against time to win over the mountain region, which has been a key voting bloc in the past two general elections.
According to analysts, the presidential contest is no longer a straightforward Ruto versus Raila race, but rather a contest between Karua and Gachagua, with the latter being seen as a more formidable candidate.
"We, as the Mt Kenya people, must ensure that Ruto does not become the next President. This man is young and can even change the Constitution to extend the term limit. We know Raila is old and we can easily control him," Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu said recently.
