This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
On November 9, 2019, the Kibra by-election concluded, with ODM candidate Bernard Imran Okoth being elected Member of Parliament.
Following the win, legislators allied to the Orange Democratic Party described the contest as a litmus test for the party's strength. Speaking in Kasipul Kabondo, the legislators, led by Suba South MP Millie Odhiambo, emphasized that the victory was a testament to ODM's resilience despite internal challenges.
The legislators also claimed that the contest in Kibra was not between ODM and Jubilee candidates but rather between the ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.
Some legislators, however, had differing opinions on the outcome. Tiaty MP William Kamket saw the defeat of the Jubilee candidate as a signal that things on the ground had changed, while Mogotio MP Daniel Tuitoek termed the defeat as a win, saying Jubilee had learned valuable lessons for the 2022 elections.
Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna went further, stating that the by-election had dealt a fatal blow to the Nasa coalition and that Wiper was waiting for its share of the coalition's funds to disband.
