Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has revealed why Raila Odinga picked Martha Karua as his running mate in the 2022 general election.
Speaking on a local podcast on September 9, 2025, Kalonzo said the decision was based on gender representation, regional balance, and strategic campaign optics.
“Raila and Junet came to my home and told me that the panel had settled on my twin sister, Martha Karua,” he said. “They believed the mountain region would be excited, women across Kenya would be inspired, and civil society would support her.”
Kalonzo admitted he felt he was better suited for the role due to his experience and national profile. “I felt I was best placed. But politics is about timing and perception,” he noted.
He also pointed out the regional dynamics. Raila is from Nyanza, and Karua is from Mt Kenya. Their ticket aimed to bridge ethnic divides and counter then-Deputy President William Ruto’s influence in the central region.
Despite feeling sidelined, Kalonzo remained loyal to the coalition. “I asked why people say I’ll never be president. In 2013 and 2017, we won but were robbed. In 2022, we had President Uhuru’s support. Why make this mistake?”
Karua made history as the first female running mate in a major Kenyan political coalition with a real chance of winning the presidency.
Currently, Kalonzo and his Wiper Party are teaming up with other opposition leaders as they prepare for the 2027 elections. The United Opposition has not yet announced its presidential candidate.
