This archive report was first published on 28 September 2019.
On September 27, 2019, Rachael Shebesh, the former Nairobi Woman Representative, publicly declared her support for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate in the Kibra by-election.
Shebesh made the announcement while addressing women in Kibra constituency, where the by-election is set to take place.
Shebesh alleged that President Uhuru Kenyatta was coerced into endorsing Jubilee's McDonald Mariga for the Kibra parliamentary seat.
According to Shebesh, she was present at State House on September 18, 2019, when Deputy President William Ruto and his allies pressured the President to endorse Mariga.
Shebesh claimed that Ruto and his allies gained access to State House through the back door, and that the President was coerced into endorsing Mariga.
Shebesh further stated that the photo of the President with Mariga was nothing short of showbiz, and that the President did not speak about the endorsement.
Shebesh urged Kibra residents to embrace the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying that they would enjoy its fruits.
Shebesh concluded by saying that Uhuru and Raila were working in a seamless manner, a reality that seemed like a pipe dream a few years ago.
