This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
On Thursday, November 7, 2019, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, cast his vote in the Kibra constituency by-election at the Old Kibra Primary School polling station.
Speaking to the media after casting his ballot, Odinga urged Kibra voters to come out and vote, saying, “I appeal to all our voters to come out of their residences and vote. We are in our bedroom and I urge our people to protect our bedroom against infiltration by strangers and outsiders,” He rallied.
His statement sparked some debate among observers, with some questioning whether it could be seen as a campaign call.
Accompanied by his wife, Mama Ida Odinga, and his daughter, Rosemary Odinga, who also cast their votes at the station, Odinga's appeal to voters was echoed by his wife, Winnie Odinga, who had earlier cast her vote, saying, “...not voting is not a protest, it is surrender.”
However, the poll was marred by some irregularities, including claims of voter bribery at Mashimoni Squatters and Old Kibra Primary School polling station.
Nairobi county police commander Philip Ndolo confirmed that two men and one woman had been arrested in connection with the bribery claims.
