This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
Published on September 20, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta's endorsement of footballer McDonald Mariga for the Kibra parliamentary seat has sparked fears of a rift with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
As the country awaits the release of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report, politicians from both camps are downplaying the move, with some arguing that Kenya's democracy has matured and the Kibra contest is too small to rock the 'handshake'.
However, others believe the President's endorsement of a Jubilee candidate in an ODM stronghold was 'strange' and does not augur well for the unity deal between him and Mr Odinga.
Behind the scenes, Mr Odinga's camp feels betrayed, despite the top leadership of ODM and Jubilee maintaining that all is well.
