Raila and Mutua Team Up Against Ruto in Kibra

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu, on November 2, 2019, threw their weight behind former prime minister Raila Odinga and endorsed Orange Democratic Movement's Imran Okoth for Kibra by-election. 

Mutua and Ngilu had accompanied Odinga to meet Kamba residents from the area that has been perceived as the opposition chief's stronghold. 

The Maendeleo Chap Chap leader, an anti-corruption crusader, took a swipe at leaders within President Uhuru Kenyatta's circle.

"Kenyatta procures one loan to pay another and that is Kenya's current culture. The economy has deteriorated.

"Despite Odinga joining hands with Kenyatta to save Kenyans and build the nation, I would like to inform him to lead the country from the frontline and be cautious of those leaders around him who are corrupt," Mutua warned. 

The county chief, who has been in a political tussle with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka over Ukambani leadership, stated that his community supported Imran Okoth to win the Kibra seat.

On October 17, 2019, the governor dealt a tough blow to Musyoka's political might in Ukambani after his Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) candidate trounced Musyoka's favourite aspirant in a tightly contested Mutonguni Ward by-election. Musee Mati garnered 2,892 votes to beat Stephen Kithuka of Wiper (2,147).

"We as Kamba leaders and residents are fully supporting Imran Okoth, At the end of the day, the people of Kibera deserve the best. From where we stand as a party (MCC), we are confident that Imran represents the aspirations of his people and will carry the legacy of the late MP, Ken Okoth to improve the lives of the people of Kibra.," he declared.

According to political analyst Herman Manyora, Mutua's and Ngilu's support is expected to boost ODM's fight to trounce Jubilee's McDonald Mariga who is Deputy President William Ruto's preferred choice. It may also neutralise Musyoka's support for Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress flagbearer Eliud Owalo.

"Musyoka should be cautious of Odinga's new combination. Remember Mutua and Ngilu do not see eye to eye with Musyoka. However, Kibra is turning out to be bigger than what we thought. We cannot speculate that Odinga is forming a new team that will campaign for BBI and his 2022 presidential elections but something concrete may come out of it," Manyora opined while speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on phone. 

On Friday, November 2, Odinga galvanised support for Mariga when he met Gusii residents in Kibra. The ODM leader also has Jubilee's Nominated MP, Maina Kamanda on his team. 

ODM and Jubilee will hold their final rallies in Kibra on Sunday, November 3. 

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