The Kibra by-election slated for November 7, was penned down as a foregone conclusion, with everyone expecting the Orange Democratic Party to carry the day.
However, the entry of Jubilee party's McDonald Mariga, followed by his endorsement by President Uhuru Kenyatta, seems to have set Raila Odinga and his handshake partner on a collision course.
Surprisingly, the former Prime Minister's new supporter, Maina Kamanda, on Sunday, October 6, stepped up to try and diffuse the situation.
While speaking in Kibra, the Jubilee nominated Member of Parliament urged the residents to ignore divisive politics, insisting that Mariga was not a Jubilee candidate, but rather a tool used to pull Uhuru and Raila apart.
He went on to claim that the president was actually backing ODM's Imran Okoth in the forthcoming by-election.
“I’m a nominated Member of Parliament and directly answerable to the Jubilee Party leader, who is President Kenyatta. I cannot defy my party leader. Imran is the candidate supported by everyone behind the handshake between President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga," he told the Kibra residents.
Meanwhile, Mariga - largely seen as Deputy President William Ruto's project, took to Laini Saba Grounds where he held a rally in a bid to woo voters.
He was accompanied by Langata MP Nixon Korir, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa, nominated senator Millicent Omanga and Members of County Assemblies, among others.
Kamanda, however, maintained that Imran was the real handshake candidate, going on to blast DP Ruto, accusing him of illegal land deals.
Here's the video of Kamanda urging Kibra residents to ignore candidates being used as a ploy to cause friction between popular leaders:
