Kenyan Azimio Laumoja presidential candidate Raila Odiga, announced Monday he had chosen Martha Karua to serve as his running mate.

At a Nairobi rally, Raila Odinga revealed Monday he would share a ticket for the next presidential elections scheduled in August, with female politician and one-time rival.

“My dear Kenyans, cometh the hour, cometh the lady. I have the great honour to announce that I have picked as my running mate, and cabinet secretary for justice and constitutional affairs, the honourable Martha Wangari Karua.“

Karua, a former presidential candidate herself, was nicknamed ‘iron lady’ as she fought her way up the male-dominated Kenyan political arena. If the pair win the polls, Karua would become Kenya’s first female deputy president.

The announcement came a day after, Deputy President William Ruto, picked Rigathi Gachagua, a former aide turned critic of President Uhuru Kenyatta to be his running mate.

Many observers believe this year’s presidential contest will be a two-horse race between Ruto and Odinga. President Kenyatta who cannot run for re-election has chosen to side with his former rival Odinga. 

A record forty-six presidential candidates are among over seven thousand 7000 who will vie in the August 9 General Elections.