This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
Published on September 21, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta's endorsement of McDonald Mariga in the Kibra by-election has sparked controversy, with some questioning the true intentions behind the move.
According to reports, a group of Tanga Tanga MPs who accompanied Mariga had sought to present the candidate to the President earlier in the day but were turned back at State House's gates. It was only after the personal intervention of DP William Ruto that Uhuru relented and met the group.
Just a day later, Nominated Jubilee MP Maina Kamanda met with Raila Odinga at his private office at Upper Hill in Nairobi, emerging to endorse ODM's Kibra candidate Imran Okoth. Kamanda described Okoth as the 'Handshake candidate' and assured the press that there were 'so many other [Jubilee] MPs' ready to line up to support him.
The move has left many wondering whether Kamanda's actions were a solo move or if he had a clear nod from State House. The messaging from both Jubilee and ODM is that the Kibra contest will in no way endanger the 'Handshake' between Uhuru and Raila.
However, some in Kieleweke are not sure the President is in control of the party anymore, with issues at Jubilee headquarters remaining uncertain even as party elections are due in March next year.
As the Kibra contest catches fire, heated rhetoric is expected, but chances of any venom being allowed by the principals to poison their 'Handshake' tango are slim.
