It is time for Martha Karua to lead Kenya

Martha Karua [George Njunge, Standard]

In the minds of many Kenyans, the battle to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta has been reduced to a contest between Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. From newspaper headlines pitting the two, one would be forgiven for thinking that there is a dearth of other worthy candidates. Yet many contenders with excellent credentials, though they proffer themselves for the country’s top job, receive no more than passing mention. At best, their mugshots make it to the ballot paper, considered political aberrations by voters and studiously ignored.

But what is it that makes luminaries like Prof James Ole Kiyiapi, celebrated within their disciplines but rejected at the ballot box? What is it that endears a section of Kenyans to current constitutional change initiatives, while they ignore proposals like Dr Aukot Ekuru’s Punguza Mzigo movement? Why hasn’t Joe Nyaga, former CEO of a blue-chip company, ambassador, and minister in the administrations of Moi and Kibaki, caused ripples in the voting pool?