Hours after losing both in Embakasi South and Ugenya constituencies mini polls, Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party has issued a comprehensive statement over the defeats.
Director of elections Junet Mohammed hailed Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South) and David Ochieng' of Ugenya for their victories, adding that the by-elections were free, fair and credible.
"The by-elections in Ugenya and Embakasi South are now behind us.The Orange Democratic Movement takes this opportunity to congratulate the winners; Hon David Ochieng (Ugenya) and Hon Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South) fought their victories.
"We thank our supporters and candidates who took part in the campaigns and the voting. We particularly thank the voters and the candidates for the decorum, civility and respect that prevailed throughout the campaigns and on Election Day. Through this, our continuing march into a truly democratic nation has been enriched," Mr Mohammed said.
Further, he said, the people in those two constituencies spoke unanimously in favour of the politics of tolerance and accommodation. He also said the ODM party will sit down and evaluate the results.
"In the two contests, the people have spoken in favour of politics of accommodation, tolerance, reason and embrace of each other and the wider national agenda. We applaud this," added the Suna East MP.
Ugenya defeat may have come as a surprise given that the Orange party dominates politics of the region. Mr Chris Karan lost to David Ochieng', who decamped from the Orange party in 2017 after the hotly contested party primaries.