Presidential aspirants should be given a free hand to choose their running-mates, says former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto. Speaking yesterday, Ruto added that no condition should be exerted on presidential and governorship hopefuls on the matter.

Ruto is also the Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM)  leader. He said that if running mates are imposed on them, disagreements could arise later and paralyse service delivery.

Speaking on a vernacular radio station yesterday, Ruto, who is gunning for Bomet gubernatorial seat on CCM, urged presidential and gubernatorial hopefuls to consider regional and gender parity while picking their deputies.  Yet to name his own

Ruto, who is upbeat about the Bomet governorship race, is yet to name his running mate. He will face off with governor Hillary Barchok, UDA.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance has formed a team of politicians to help pick Raila Odinga’s running mate.

He said his party is backing deputy president William Ruto’s presidential bid, adding that CCM is not fielding a presidential candidate. He added that UDA’s ideologies are similar to those of CCM.

He added that  CCM has not signed a coalition agreement with UDA and is not asking for any post or consideration should Kenya Kwanza win the presidency.

He would join the Kenya Kwanza team headed by the deputy president during their campaigns across the country.

“I will soon hit the ground running, campaigning for the deputy president”, said the former Council of Governors chairman.

He disclosed that CCM has not signed a coalition agreement with UDA since it is not asking for any post or consideration should Kenya Kwanza win the presidency.

He called for peaceful campaigns.