Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Chairman, John Mbadi, on Monday, hit out at Jubilee Party Secretary-General, Raphael Tuju, over the decision to field a candidate in the Kibra Constituency by-election.
“Maybe they think they have chances but as ODM, we are prepared for the contest. ODM is the most popular party. So it will be easy for us,” Mbadi declared.
Opiyo Wandayi, ODM's director of political affairs, further downplayed the entry of President Uhuru Kenyatta's party in the race, expressing confidence that Raila Odinga's party will ‘easily retain the seat.’
Wandayi argued that, “As a party, we don’t choose the opponent we shall face in the elections because we are ever prepared to face any opponent at any given time.
"Kibra is an ODM zone. We are winning this election hands down, irrespective of the number of opponents."
Raila and ODM have controlled Kibra and Lang'ata for decades. However, the party failed to floor Jubilee in Lang'ata in 2017, as Nixon Korir beat ODM's Oscar Omoke.
Political observers were of the opinion that ODM lost the seat because of the disorganisation within National Super Alliance (NASA).
Tuju, on Monday, disclosed that Jubilee would be fielding a candidate, just weeks after Nairobi Senator, Johnson Sakaja, stated that the party wouldn't.
"Following consultations within the party leadership, with respect to Kibra Constituency, we would like to communicate to our membership that the Jubilee Party will be fielding a candidate in the forthcoming Kibra Constituency by-election," an excerpt of Tuju's official statement disclosed.
Sakaja had argued that the late area Member of Parliament, Ken Okoth, believed in peace and supported the handshake wholeheartedly.
"Ken believed in the handshake and to reinforce that, it will be wise that his party fields a candidate we will all support even from Jubilee," he stated during the late MPs funeral.
