John Masha, Kenya Social Congress (KSC) candidate for the Magarini by-election, stepped down to endorse Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Harrison Kombe.
Speaking during a campaign rally held on Tuesday, November 25, in the Sabaki area of Kilifi County, where Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro and Kaloleni MP Paul Katana welcomed him, Masha urged his supporters to vote for Kombe.
Masha's decision to withdraw from the race was announced just two days before the by-elections scheduled for the Magharini Constituency.
"I want to categorically state beyond any reasonable doubt. I have worked with the government for the last 30 years, and I now see no need to disagree with the government," he stated.
"That's why I have asked my governor to allow me to come back home. I was not home before, and I now feel at home, and I am thankful that he has welcomed me back," Masha continued.
Welcoming the move, Governor Mung'aro stated that they had been consulting with Masha for some time and were impressed by the initiative, saying it would help boost ODMS's win. He also urged the people of Magarini to come out in large numbers and vote for Kombe to ensure his win.
Masha, who officially defected from KSC to join ODM, said ODM is the biggest party in Kenya. He also revealed his plans to vie for the constituency seat in the 2027 general elections, urging Kombe to complete the remaining two years and support his candidacy in the general elections, vowing to campaign on his behalf.
"ODM will win. I want to encourage my supporters to vote for ODM so that he can complete the remaining two years," Masha stated.
The Magarini by-election was triggered after the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld the nullification of Kombe's 2022 election victory.
The petition by his main rival, Stanley Kenga, began at the Malindi High Court after the August 2022 general elections, in which Kombe was declared the winner by a margin of just 21 votes over Kenga, who was vying under the UDA.
The petition alleged several infringements in the electoral process, including the unlawful opening of ballot boxes and the alteration of results at the tallying centre.
The Malindi court nullified Kombe's victory, but he appealed the decision, which the Court of Appeal upheld. He lodged a final appeal at the Supreme Court.
In May 2024, a five-judge bench dismissed his appeal and upheld the lower court's decision, declaring the seat vacant and ordering the IEBC to conduct a by-election.
