This archive report was first published on 18 September 2019.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sparked controversy after criticizing Jubilee's Kibra by-election candidate McDonald Mariga over his relationship with Ann Thumbi, the late Ken Okoth's lover.
On September 18, 2019, Owino took to his social media page to express his discontent, stating that it was not right for Mariga to take the late Okoth's seat and his wife as well.
"This is the lady who had a baby with the late Hon. Ken Okoth. Mariga must choose between the lady or the seat. It is not right for him to show spite to the late Ken by taking both his seat and his wife. Choose one," he stated in a Facebook post.
Thumbi, who is also a nominated MCA, had previously clarified her relationship with Mariga, stating that she was obligated to support a fellow party member, as she was nominated under the Jubilee Party.
"I was nominated to the Nairobi County Assembly under the Jubilee Party. I, therefore, am obligated to stick with the party's choice in the race for Kibra parliamentary seat. Jubilee's choice, as of today, is Mariga, and I needed to show him my support," Thumbi noted.
Owino also urged Kibra residents to avoid divisive politics and embrace the late Kibra MP's brother, Imran Okoth.
"I want to urge the Kibra residents to stop divisive politics. Those faulting Imran for cremating his brother should not. Those were the wishes of the deceased," he added.
