This archive report was first published on 28 September 2019.
On Friday, September 27, 2019, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford-Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang'ula announced their decision to work together in the Kibra by-election.
The move is seen as a sign of deteriorating relations between Orange party leader Raila Odinga and his allies in the 2017 polls.
Mr. Musyoka announced that his party would support Ford-Kenya candidate Khamisi Butichi in the by-election.
According to Mr. Musyoka, his party's decision to back Mr. Butichi is a reciprocal gesture for Ford-Kenya's decision not to field a candidate in the Embakasi South by-election this year, which Wiper's Julius Mawathe won.
“Ford-Kenya and its leadership stood by our candidate in the Embakasi by-election, and we cannot take it for granted. My brotherhood with Senator Wetang'ula started in the 1980s when I joined politics,” Mr. Musyoka said.
Others in the race include footballer McDonald Mariga (Jubilee) and Eliud Owalo of Amani National Congress (ANC).
The two parties agreed to have Mr. Butichi officially endorsed at a later date, with the Ford-Kenya brigade expected to attend a pro-Wiper event in Athi-River on Sunday.
Mr. Wetang'ula expressed confidence that Mr. Butichi will emerge victorious in the November 7 by-election, stating, “Our candidate is the strongest. From all the information gathered, I can assure my brother Kalonzo that this Kibra seat is no more a dream, we will carry the day.”
Mr. Wetang'ula also dismissed reports that the by-election is a three-horse race, saying, “Although some parties may have the political and financial might, we have a lot of support on the ground and our supporters will vote for us come November 7.”
Mr. Odinga's allies have criticized Mr. Wetang'ula and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi for their decision to field candidates in the race, with ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna threatening to sever links with both parties.
However, Mr. Odinga maintained that Mr. Okoth would triumph, introducing him to the crowd as the “Kibra MP-in-waiting” and declaring, “Kibra is my house and my son Imran is here.”
Former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru also delved into the politics, accusing ‘outsiders’ of “coming to play in Baba’s bedroom”.
