The Kibra by-election race could prove to be a tight one after the Jubilee Party declared that it will field its own candidate contrary to the expectations of many.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju urged aspirants to apply for the party’s ticket.
This comes amid speculations that the party was not going to field any candidate after an agreement with ODM, as a result of the handshake.
A week ago, Tuju had indicated that the party was still holding consultations and was soon going to make a pronouncement whether to field a candidate or not.
JUBILEE PARTY declares it will field a candidate in Kibra by-election; Secretary-General Raphael Tuju asks aspirants to apply for the ticket. pic.twitter.com/M6crGEeSlS
— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) August 26, 2019
Kibra has been a Raila political bedrock and it would be in his interest to retain the seat. With Jubilee’s declaration that it is going to field a candidate, political fireworks will be expected at the ballot with expectations that Deputy President William Ruto, who is Raila’s bitter rival, is going to lead Jubilee campaigns in the constituency.
Jubilee had pulled out of Ugenya and Embakasi South by-elections in favour of ODM, citing the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila.
And as a way of appreciations, ODM, on its part, pulled out of the Wajir West mini-poll in favour of Jubilee.