Why Karua, Gachagua are not perfect matches for their bosses

Unlike times past, when the president had the prerogative of hiring and firing his vice, today’s deputy president is protected by ironclad constitutional guarantees. Nowhere has it been more evident than in the fractious relationship that has characterised the second term of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. Judging from their numerous public spats, they have irreconcilable differences, yet the DP is no longer subject to Executive caprice. He cannot be fired on a whim no matter how disputatious he is.

Which is why naming the running mates of presidential hopefuls from both Azimio la Umoja Party and Kenya Kwanza has been a slow, arduous process. Both Raila Odinga and his competitor, Dr Ruto, want to be sure that they each have a running mate who shares their broad principles and who wholly buys into their vision. Both have now picked their running mates, Odinga going with Martha Karua and Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua.