This archive report was first published on 13 October 2019.
On October 13, 2019, a heated debate erupted in Kibra, Nairobi, as Jubilee Party legislators, backed by Deputy President William Ruto, accused the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of inciting violence during the Kibra parliamentary by-election campaign.
Following a church service at PCEA Emmanuel Church in Makina, a section of Jubilee Party MPs, including Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa and Lang'ata counterpart Nixon Korir, criticized the ODM's actions, claiming they had incited youths to stone Jubilee Party candidate McDonald Mariga's convoy.
Mr. Ichung'wa urged all candidates and political parties to embrace peace and give Kibra residents a chance to decide who they want. 'Let all candidates and political parties embrace peace and give Kibra people a chance to decide who they want,' he said.
Mr. Korir, on the other hand, accused the Kieleweke team, led by nominated MP Maina Kamanda, of scattering propaganda and misleading Kenyans that President Uhuru Kenyatta does not support Ruto's candidate, Donald Mariga. 'Let them respect the President and stop lying that they have been sent (to Kibra) by him. It is shameful the youths who attacked Mr. Mariga's convoy yesterday (Saturday) have followed us here and destroyed window panes,' he said.
Mr. Korir stated that he would write to the IEBC to disqualify the ODM candidate over the violence. 'Raila Odinga is in the government courtesy of the handshake hence we are free to ask for votes anywhere. The handshake did not come to finish democracy,' he said.
Mariga called out on political leaders to stop manipulating youths to mete out turmoil on their competitors. 'The youths should not be used to unleash chaos on opponents, violence never pays, I have forgiven those who assaulted us,' he said.
