National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga's decision to ditch an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate for the Kitutu Chache South Parliamentary by-election has caused tension in the coalition.
On Sunday, the other aspirants drawn from the NASA affiliate parties stated that it was wrong and unacceptable for Mr Odinga to endorse former MP Richard Onyonka.
Mr Samuel Omwando (ODM), Mr Andrew Maubi (Wiper) and Mr Justus Mochoge (Amani National Congress) explained that no consultative meeting or any form of discussion had been conducted amongst them before the endorsement.
According to Mr Mochoge, the Opposition Leader did not have authority to tell people who to elect since he is not a voter in Kitutu Chache South.
[caption caption="File image of Senator Moses Wetangula and Richard Onyonka"]
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Mochoge further noted that his party leader Musalia Mudavadi had assured him of his support adding that there was no agreement to back Mr Onyonka.
“What I know is that I will win the election no matter what. For that reason, I am not shaken by the endorsement if it is anything to go by,” Mochoge was quoted by the Nation.
The Wiper Party candidate on his part stated that he had spoken to his leader Kalonzo Musyoka who assured him that there was no agreement to endorse the Ford-Kenya candidate.
“Our party leader told me that everything was okay and he had given me his blessings,” Maubi explained.
Addressing his supporters on Sunday, Mr Onyonka thanked the ODM Leader for the endorsement adding that he was sure of winning the Tuesday poll.
“Mr Odinga told his supporters to vote for me because he is aware of my development track record and the contributions that I always make in Parliament,” the Nation quoted Onyonka.
On Saturday, the former Prime Minister ditched the ODM candidate in favour of Mr Onyonka for the election slated for Tuesday, November 7.
[caption caption="File image of Opposition Leader Raila Odinga addressing a rally"]
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“We came to an agreement that we support one strong candidate and we must also vote as one unit so that we can defeat Jubilee,” Mr Odinga stated at Ruga centre.
He confirmed that all the other principals had agreed to support one candidate for the seat.
