Editor's Review

Raila picked Martha Karua as his running mate on Monday.

It will be very difficult for Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua to change the political tidings of the Mt Kenya region in favour of ODM leader Raila Odinga, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki has said.

In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, Kindiki said the UDA party and Kenya Kwanza wave in the central region are too strong for Karua to change.

The Senator was reacting to a move by Raila to pick Karua as his running mate in a bid to woo the Mt Kenya region back to him for the presidency.

{Senator Kithure Kindiki. IMAGE: COURTESY}

“I doubt she will be able to turn the tide of UDA and Kenya Kwanza, not even in Kirinyaga. She will not withstand the tide of Kenya Kwanza. It is too strong,” he said.

According to the Senator, the use of tribe to marshall votes will not be successful in the August elections since it will be about issues of national importance.

Though he lauded the appointment of Karua as a wise move, Kindiki said he is certain the Azimio coalition is poised for defeat.

“For the first time the use of ethnicity as the organizing principle of our politics has been dismantled, so those who think that Karua can turn the tide anywhere because she speaks a certain language are wasting time.”

Kindiki was the runners up in the race for Ruto's deputy.

Opening up on the intrigues surrounding the picking of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as Ruto's deputy, the second-term senator termed their ticket as formidable.

He exuded confidence that they will the August 9, polls even as he maintained that he will be taking a break from politics.