Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has continued to get reinforcement ahead of November 7 Kibra by elections in what is seen as a war between him and deputy president Dr William Ruto.
Kibra, which has been described as Raila’s bedroom by his allies has turned into a Raila-Ruto battle. Ruto is fighting to have his candidate McDonald Mariga win the parliamentary seat that was left vacant following the demise of Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer in July.
On Saturday, Raila got a back up from two Ukambani governors in a move that seem to have strengthened his ‘bedroom’ fence.
Maendeleo chap chap party leader who doubles up as Machakos governor Dr Alfred Mutua alongside his Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu threw their wight behind ODM’s Bernard Otieno Imran Okoth.
Mutua’s party through their official twitter account noted that they are fully supporting Imran, noting that it was good to recognize ideologies over party politics.
Raila asked Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua to rally the Kamba community living in Kibra, Nairobi, to campaign for its candidate ahead of the by-election on November 7.
Mr Odinga and Governor Mutua are expected to address a joint campaign rally at Woodley grounds today (Sunday) afternoon, to drum up support for Bernard Imran Okoth, the Orange Democratic Movement’s candidate.
The surprise move comes two days after ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna declared that the party will form new political alliances after the Kibra by-election.
However, the move has seen DP Ruto criticize Raila in what he terms as calling for reinforcement in your own bedroom.
Ruto who was speaking in Salgaa on Saturday expressed his confidence that Mariga will emerge the winner in the forthcoming mini polls.
On November 7, ODM’s Imran Okoth will face off with Jubilee’s Mariga, ANC’s Eliud Owalo, Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi among other candidates.
