This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
Published on September 21, 2019, divisions over the entry of soccer star McDonald Mariga into the Kibra by-election escalated after Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi broke ranks with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Mudavadi, alongside Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula, have been under intense pressure from the ODM leadership to withdraw their candidates in favor of ODM's Imran Okoth.
However, Mudavadi maintained that 'Kibra was not Raila's bedroom,' hitting back at ODM leaders who accused ANC of betrayal over the Kibra mini-poll set for November 7.
ANC is fronting former Odinga campaign manager Eliud Owalo in the race, while Ford-Kenya will field Khamisi Butichit for the seat that fell vacant following the death of ODM's Ken Okoth.
The by-election has also split Jubilee, with some politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto supporting Mariga while others are rallying behind Okoth.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's seeming endorsement of Mariga was watered down when nominated MP Maina Kamanda declared support for Okoth, accompanied by some Jubilee officials.
Other Jubilee leaders who have vowed to rally behind Okoth include Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.
