New details have emerged on how a Member of Parliament allied to the Jubilee Party secretly supported National Super Alliance (NASA) candidates in the just concluded Kitutu Chache South by-election.
Mr Anthony Kibagendi who was Jubilee's candidate in the election accused Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi of opposing his candidature by financing his competitors from NASA that led to his loss.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, Mr Kibagendi who described himself as an entreprenuer, stated that Mr Agwenyi was against him winning the seat because his (Kibagendi's) growth would eat into the MP's influence in the region.
"Agwenyi is the one who plotted against me despite belonging to the same party because he was threatened by my growth in the region and he wants to maintain the status quo," he conveyed.
Mr. Kibagendi further revealed that his relationship with Deputy President William Ruto led to the Kitutu Chache North MP feeling threatened.
[caption caption="Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi "]
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"I am close to the DP and that threatened him because I was on my way to being the Jubilee point man in the region," he stated.
He added that the MP collaborated with Kisii Governor James Ongwae and used his influence in the region to frustrate his efforts.
"Angwenyi used his networks and together with the county government deployed machinery as well as engaged in voter bribery and compromised security to frustrate my campaigns," he stated.
Mr Kibagendi stated that he would not file an election petition challenging Ford Kenya's Richard Onyonka, declaring that he would engage in his businesses and wait for 2022.
Efforts by Kenyans.co.ke to reach Mr Angwenyi to respond to the allegations were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
Earlier in the day, he posted on his Facebook page conceding defeat while blasting Jubilee leaders in the region for causing his loss.
[caption caption="File Image of Anthony Kibagendi while campaigning"]
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"Gunnering 5000 votes in a by-election on a rainy day, with the voter fatigue our people had experienced is no mean achievement. Remember the entire Kisii County government, all elected leaders in the region (both in jubilee and Nasa) other than Richard N. Tongi were against me. Jubilee leaders from the region who are uncomfortable with my growth other than Hon. Albert Nyaundi, supported my opponent," he wrote on Wednesday.
Mr Onyonka was declared the winner of the by-election garnering 10,122 votes while Kibangendi, his closest challenger, managed 5,074 votes.
The MP-elect received his certificate from election officials led by Returning Officer (RO) Hilda Imbo.
Read Also: IEBC Declares By-Election Winner
