Youth leaders from Mt Kenya region yesterday endorsed Peter Kenneth to become the running mate of Orange party leader Raila Odinga in the upcoming presidential elections.

Speaking after meeting Kenneth in Nairobi yesterday, the lobby dubbed, Azimio La Vijana Mt Kenya, said the former Gatanga legislator possesses management skills that can be trusted to be in the deputy president position.

“As a lobby group we have listened to Kenneth and we are happy to note that he has good management skills. Kenneth led Football Kenya Federation when he was only 28 years old and when he became MP, his then Constituency Development Funds led nationally,” said the group’s leader Edward Githaiga.

Githaiga said they will next week meet with other leaders angling as potential running-mates.

“We want the best for this country. We will listen to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and governors Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia) and Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru). We are the majority in this country and that is why we are keen on a leader with a reputation. We want someone who will protect the interests of our region,” he said.

Kenneth is said to be enjoying the support of some of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s confidants among them Jubilee vice-chairman David Murathe, Nominated MP Maina Kamanda as well as members of the powerful Mount Kenya Foundation chaired by Equity Bank foundation Peter Munga.