Sharlet Mariam Akinyi has voiced her frustrations after Deputy President William Ruto and his allies opted to support Feisal Bader for the Msambweni by-elections.
The Parliamentary aspirant dared Ruto to campaign for another contestant, but be prepared to lose to her as she was keen on clinching the seat.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke dated Thursday, September 24, Mariam declared that she would contest on an independent ticket after Jubilee shortchanged her.
"Mwanamke amejitokeza na anafinyiliwa chini. Mimi nasema ivi, niko tayari kupambana na wanaume. Dynasties or no dynasties...mimi niko tayari kupambana na wanaume.
"It is so sad that a woman is repressed when she stands out to fight for an equal right. I am ready to face all men. Dynasties or no dynasties," she stated.
Mariam added that Ruto had betrayed her by showcasing double standards. She stated that the DP had promised to support the poor in Msambweni through her, but left her hanging out to dry.
Asked whether she was aware that the DP was supporting Feisal, Mariam bitterly lamented that she was a victim of the row between ODM leader Raila Odinga and Ruto.
On Wednesday, September 23, Tuju announced that Jubilee was not going to field any candidate in Msambweni owing to the handshake between Odinga and Kenyatta.
Mariam had earlier on quit ODM to join Ruto's bandwagon with the hope of running on a Jubilee ticket and succeeding the late Suleiman Dori who passed away in March 2020.
"Met an aspirant for Msambweni Parliamentary seat Feisal Abdallah Bader in the company of Coast MPs Athman Shariff (Lamu East), Moha Jicho Pevu (Nyali), Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga) and Hon Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) at Karen, Nairobi County," Ruto tweeted on Thursday, September 24, shattering Mariam's hopes.
The by-election is Ruto's tactical approach of testing waters ahead of the 2022 elections. Analysts widely expect him to vie against Odinga in 2022.
Ruto lost to Odinga in the Kibra November 7 by-elections after Imran Okoth trounced McDonald Mariga. However, the DP got bragging rights over ODM after his ally Nixon Korir trounced ODM's Oscar Omoke to win Langata Parliamentary seat in 2017.
Watch Sharlet speak on her candidacy
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