The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Nakuru county chairman Peter Ole Osono on Saturday, February 27 announced the withdrawal of the party from Hell’s Gate and London ward by-elections in favour of Jubilee.
By withdrawing from the race, ODM leaves the battle between Jubilee and United Democratic Alliance(UDA).
In attendance at the press conference were MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi), Maina Kamanda (Nominated), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), David GIkaria (Nakuru Town East) and Kanini Kega (Kieni).
ODM legislators, thereafter, joined Jubilee in campaigning for its candidates Francis Njoroge (London Ward) and Virginia Wamaitha (Hells Gate).
ODM settled on the decision owing to the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga in March 2018.
However, Jubilee faces stiff competition from Deputy President William Ruto's linked United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The wheelbarrow party fielded Anthony Wachira Nzuki for the London Ward city and Jonathan Warothe for the Hells Gate seat.
In December 2020, Jubilee Party pulled out of the Msambweni, Kwale by-election and backed ODM's Omar Boga. Jubilee also considered the constituency as Odinga's stronghold and did not want to antagonise their handshake counterpart.
Boga lost to independent candidate Feisal Badar who enjoyed Deputy President William Ruto's support. However, on Friday, February 26, Boga was rewarded with a government job.
Jubilee also withdrew from the Kibra by-election in November 2019 and supported ODM's Imran Okoth who trounced DP Ruto's candidate, McDonald Mariga.
