This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
Published on October 3, 2019, Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed claims that the Kibra by-election is a supremacy battle between him and Raila Odinga.
According to Ruto, the mini-poll is an opportunity for Kibra residents to elect a leader who is best suited to serve them for the next three years.
Speaking at Mash Park Hotel in Kibra, Ruto urged contestants and politicians to conduct peaceful campaigns, devoid of name-calling, to allow the people of Kibra to decide without interference.
“Let no one confuse you that this by-election is a contest between Raila, Ruto and Musalia (Mudavadi). The race is between MacDonald Mariga, Eliud Owalo, Imran Okoth and other candidates,” he said.
The Jubilee Party, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, fully supports Mariga because he has shown his desire to empower the people of Kibra, Ruto noted.
“We support Mr Mariga because he was raised in the same conditions as the people of Kibra; he does not need to be told about the needs of Kibra,” Ruto explained.
