This archive report was first published on 29 September 2019.
On September 28th, 2019, a video of Youth and Gender Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rachel Shebesh went viral on social media, allegedly showing her campaigning against McDonald Mariga, the Jubilee Party's flag bearer in the Kibra by-election.
Deputy President William Ruto responded to the video, urging Jubilee supporters to ignore Shebesh's claims and give Mariga their moral support during the campaign period.
"All Jubilee Party supporters should ignore & treat with utter contempt rebels and those rejected by the electorate who now deceptively purport to speak for the party leadership," Ruto posted on his Twitter account.
He also asked the Jubilee supporters to give Mariga moral, material, and prayerful support, saying, "Let's give Mariga our flag bearer moral, material and prayerful support. Victory is surely beckoning,"
Shebesh was allegedly heard telling a group of women that President Uhuru Kenyatta was 'pressured' to endorse Mariga for the Kibra seat, saying, "Hiyo siku mnaskia ya kuweka kofia mimi nilikuwa State House kazi ingine na CS. Mimi najua namna ambao waliingia hiyo State House na mlango ya nyuma. Mimi najua vile waliweka pressure ya hiyo picha mliona,"
