This archive report was first published on 27 October 2019.
With just days to go before the highly anticipated Kibra by-election, candidates from the three main parties - Jubilee, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and Amani National Congress (ANC) - are making their final pitches to the constituency's 118,658 registered voters.
ODM candidate Bernard Okoth, brother of late MP Ken Okoth, is facing stiff competition from Jubilee's McDonald Mariga and ANC's Eliud Owalo. A win for Mariga would be a significant upset for ODM, which has controlled the constituency for decades.
Mariga has been making promises to the voters, including setting up an open-air tailoring centre, championing legislation to make Kibra a marginalised constituency, and helping parents bear the cost of the new school curriculum. He has also promised to set up a one-stop centre for Kibra residents to get free business lessons and access the internet to encourage e-commerce.
On the other hand, ANC's Owalo is banking on his party's support to pull a surprise win against their coalition partner, Raila Odinga's ODM. Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula are also backing their candidates, Eliud Owalo and Khamisi Butichi, respectively.
The by-election has been marred by allegations of voter bribery, buying of identity cards, and tampering of the voters register. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has also announced that several polling centres would be relocated after the by-election, coinciding with national examinations.
Today, ODM has planned a rally at Laini Saba, while ANC's Owalo is expected at Kamukunji grounds. Jubilee candidate Mariga launched his manifesto on Friday, outlining his plans to transform trade, infrastructure, and sport in the constituency.
