In a rare show of unity, a section of youths garnered from both ODM and Jubilee parties, on Sunday morning, held joint roadshows in Kibra constituency ahead of November 7, 2019, by-election.
The youths, who call themselves the handshake team, mobilized the constituents on the need to maintain peace during and after the by-election.
At the same time, the more than 100 youths revealed that they were going to support Imran Okoth whom they termed as the ‘Handshake candidate’ in the upcoming mini poll.
The roadshow comes just two days after another pro-handshake team, Embrace Kenya, announced their support for Imran in Kibra.
The Team led by Homabay County Women Rep Gladys Wanga hit the campaign trail in support of Kibra Member of National Assembly (MP) candidate Imran Okoth on Thursday, October 31.
The women toured many parts of Kibra selling one agenda, ‘elect Imran, Kazi iendelee’.
Recently, Jubilee’s Nominated MP Maina Kamanda announced that he was supporting the ODM candidate in Kibra By-Elections. Speaking at Capitol Hill, Kamanda said he will support Imran Okoth as one way of ensuring that the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga is solidified.
“I am here in my personal capacity…The Handshake brought us harmony and peace in the country.. As Jubilee we have a candidate but as a person, I will be with the ODM candidate…I am here to stand with the Handshake candidate nominated by ODM Imran Okoth” he stated.
On Sunday 3rd, the ODM party will hold a Mega rally at Woodley stadium in Kibra. The rally is expected to be led by ODM party leader Raila Odinga who will campaign for Imran Okoth for the second consecutive week in the constituency.
Jubilee party will also be holding a parallel rally the constituency to drum up support for the party’s candidate Macdonald Mariga. Jamaican reggae artiste Kenyatta Hill is set to perform at the rally.
Kenyatta Hill Endorses Mariga.
He will be performing on Sunday in Kibra.#Mariga17#letthepeopledecide pic.twitter.com/8UGIu3YkUj
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) November 1, 2019
The artiste, who is the son of the late Joseph Hill, singer, and songwriter for the legendary Jamaican vocal trio Culture, said he is rooting for Mariga and believes he is the right choice for the people of Kibra.
On Saturday, Deputy President William Ruto announced his plans to use the upcoming Kibra by-election to battle and drive home the ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Ruto promised to focus all his energy to have the Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga win the seat left vacant by the late Ken Okoth, saying that will be a sure way of ensuring that Raila retires from active politics.
“It seems he is not aware. We will show him by winning big in Kibra. We will beat him hands down and we will send him packing home,” remarked Ruto in the Kalenjin dialect.
Imran Okoth will face other formidable candidates in the race including Jubilee’s MacDonald Mariga, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and Ford Kenya Butichi Khamisi.