This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
On September 20, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta made a series of phone calls that would change the course of the Kibra by-elections. He first called his Deputy President, William Ruto, assigning him duties that included meeting with some ambassadors.
Later that day, Uhuru called Jubilee Party Secretary General, Raphael Tuju, instructing him to take the Jubilee candidate for the Kibra by-elections to Statehouse.
Tuju, taken by surprise, called Aden Duale and informed him of the President's request. Duale then called Ruto, who in turn arranged for a meeting with Uhuru.
On the following day, September 21, 2019, Ruto, Mariga, Tuju, Duale, and other Jubilee officials and MPs arrived at Statehouse around 2 pm. They met with Uhuru, who confirmed his intention to endorse Mariga and personally cover the campaign costs for the Jubilee candidate.
Mariga was welcomed as a Jubilee Party member, and Uhuru demanded nothing short of victory in Kibra. The meeting concluded around 4:10 pm, with Ruto and Uhuru holding a private meeting for over two hours afterwards.
Meanwhile, Nominated MP Maina Kamanda arrived at Statehouse around 7:49 pm, only to be told that the President was not available. He tried to call Uhuru but received no response, eventually leaving the premises.
The next morning, September 22, 2019, Kamanda returned to Statehouse, but was again told that the President was busy. He eventually met with Raila Odinga at Capitol Hill, promising to support Imran Okoth 'as a person.'
