This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 19, 2019, President Kenyatta officially endorsed the Jubilee Party's flagbearer McDonald Mariga for the Kibra by-election. However, in a surprising move, Jubilee MP Maina Kamanda has pledged his full support for rival Orange Democratic Movement candidate Imran Okoth.
Mr. Kamanda made the announcement on Thursday after meeting ODM leader Raila Odinga at Capitol Hill in Nairobi. He stated, 'Kibra is the stronghold of ODM. We have fielded a candidate as Jubilee, the candidate was put there by Jubilee, but as a person, I will be with the [candidate] that has been nominated by ODM.'
Mr. Kamanda's support for Imran is in the spirit of the handshake between Mr. Odinga and Mr. Kenyatta after the 2017 election. He referred to Imran as the 'handshake candidate' and expressed his desire to maintain peace in the country.
Mr. Kamanda, a harsh critic of Deputy President William Ruto, said he would campaign for Mr. Okoth. He also revealed that the late Ken Okoth was his friend and had fostered good relations with his colleagues, hence the support for the ODM candidate from members of rival parties.
Mr. Kamanda's move is a pointer to the widening rift with the Jubilee Party, which has witnessed internal wrangles sparked by Mr. Ruto's bid to succeed Mr. Kenyatta in 2022.
