- Maanzo claims the issue has caused anger to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his team, adding that he might not be chosen as the Presidential running mate come 2027.
- Maanzo further stated that the running mate will most likely be a woman.
Image: FILE
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo now claims that the issue of ODM leader Raila Odinga's perceived help from the government has caused divisions in the executive arm.
Maanzo claims the issue has caused anger to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his team, adding that he might not be chosen as the Presidential running mate come 2027.
Raila is looking to become chair of the Africa Union Commission.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday morning, Maanzo further stated that the running mate will most likely be a woman.
"The perception that the government is helping Raila in his AUC chairmanship has annoyed DP Gachagua and some of his people. The President has already given notice that his running mate could be a woman," he said.
In March, President William Ruto pledged to ensure his party will have a female deputy president in the near future.
Speaking during the launch of the G7 Council Women Governors Caucus Strategy event at Safari Park, Ruto said he would sit down with his deputy Rigathi Gachagua and agree that should the party front a man, the running mate must be a woman.
The President said this will ensure his party leads from the front in supporting women and consequently help in attaining the two-thirds gender rule.
"Riggy G and myself later on when we discuss our future politics we must also agree that going forward if a man is a candidate for President in our party the woman must be the running mate and if a woman is a candidate then a man can be a running mate," the president said then
The statement by Maanzo was however refuted, with UDA allied politicians stating that the issue of 2027 running mate is yet to come up in discussions.
Raila is the new factor in the Ruto, Gachagua rift.
Lauding the support he has received from the government, Raila on Wednesday said he is not a state project.
"I wish to reiterate the obvious, that I am vying for a position in Africa not in the government of the Republic of Kenya," Raila said.