Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka has revealed that Deputy President William Ruto is using Kibra by-elections as a litmus paper to his 2022 Presidential ambitions.
According to Onyonka, fronting Macdonald Mariga in an ODM considered zone was one of Ruto’s good strategy to test his popularity ahead of 2022 Presidential race.
“I think DP Ruto wants to test the waters for 2022. The DP is putting his foot down to declare his intent,” stated Onyonka.
He observed that the Jubilee party under the steering of William Ruto was looking to capitalise on the divisions between NASA affiliate parties who have each fielded a candidate in the race.
The Kibra race: I think DP Ruto wants to test the waters for 2022. The DP is putting his foot down to declare his intent. – Richard Onyonka #AMLiveNTV pic.twitter.com/6wXp0WiJJw
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) September 30, 2019
Ruto, according to him was trying to have a foothold in the city’s politics as one way of solidifying his 2022 political grounds in Nairobi.
Onyonka who was speaking on NTV’s AmLive morning show expressed hopes the ground which is perceived to be ODM’s stronghold will soon shift in favour of Mariga’s candidature.
“The truth is that Jubilee is on fire. It is burning. Since Friday Mariga has been on the ground. DP Ruto has also been hitting at the BBI,” stated the MP
I don’t think he (Mariga) is a serious candidate, he was pushed there to make a statement. – Okongo Omogeni #AMLiveNTV @KenMijungu pic.twitter.com/oEJw3HSB5K
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) September 30, 2019
His sentiments were also echoed by Kandara MP Alice Wahome who expressed hopes that Jubilee was going to triumph over ODM in Kibra.
“Realistically speaking ODM could lose in Kibra. ODM has been overrated in Kibra, there is a difference between ODM and Raila,“ opined Wahome.
The Kibra race: Realistically speaking ODM could lose in Kibra.
ODM has been overrated in Kibra, there is a difference between ODM and Raila. – Alice Wahome #AMLiveNTV pic.twitter.com/YKq4bENLjb
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) September 30, 2019
The two were, however, rubbished by Nyamira County Senator Okongo Omogeni who maintained that Mariga was not a serious candidate rather was pushed there by the DP to make a statement.
He termed the decision by ANC and Ford Kenya parties to field their own candidates as a choice which was in order since they had all agreed that the members had liberties to field their own candidates in any by-elections.
Okongo confirmed that if ODM indeed loses the Kibra’s seat, then it would be a disaster for them since the party’s strength in 2022 will have been weakened.
“For us, Kibra has been our backyard for many years. If we lose it, then the statement will be ODM is loosing in Nairobi. But if I look at Jubilee’s candidate, then I am tempted to say that he is not a serious candidate.