This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
On September 30, 2019, the Kibra by-election took a dramatic turn as three Amani National Congress (ANC) lawmakers announced their support for ODM candidate Imran Okoth.
Godfrey Osotsi, a nominated MP, declared his support for Mr. Okoth, joining ODM legislators on the campaign trail. He claimed that Vihiga Senator George Khaniri and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala were among the ANC legislators who would soon join the Opposition chief Raila Odinga's party in the Kibra campaigns.
ANC is backing Eliud Owalo to succeed the late MP Ken Okoth. Osotsi stated that it was more strategic for the Luhya community to support ODM, as a majority of them were members of various Parliamentary Committees courtesy of the Orange party.
Osotsi accused his party leaders of not being interested in winning the by-election, but rather using it to frustrate the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila. He claimed, 'It is not about the seat but people keen on settling political scores with Raila as well as to try to frustrate the handshake.'
Meanwhile, Jubilee MPs backing footballer McDonald Mariga's candidature fought off claims that Uhuru was forced to endorse the ruling coalition's candidate. MPs John Kiarie, Nixon Korir, Millicent Omanga, George Theuri, and James Gakuya said Mariga had Uhuru's blessings for the seat.
