The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Raila Odinga has appreciated the Kibra electorates for voting in Imran Okoth as the Member of Parliament for Kibra in the recent by-election that was held on Thursday.
According to reports from The Star, the leader of the opposition was happy that he did not bear the shame of his party losing in the much-heated by-election.
"I knew you would do as you had promised. Thank you a lot for taking the shame away from me," Raila stated.
ODM's candidate Imran Okoth had a resounding victory of 24, 636 votes followed distantly by Jubilee party's candidate McDonald Mariga who had 11, 230 votes. Amani National Congress' (ANC) candidate Eliud Owalo ranked third with 5, 275 votes.
The Kibra by-election was announced after the death of the late former area MP Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer. Imran Okoth is the brother of the late Ken Okoth.
The Kibra by-election was heated especially with the involvement of Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto; the two are viewed as the arch-rivals in the Kenyan political arena. DP Ruto supported and campaigned for Mariga.
Raila believes the results of the Kibra by-election were a reflection of the content of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report specifically in creating national unity.
"BBI will bring unity and peaceful coexistence among all Kenyans (BBI italeta utangamano baina ya wakenya wote)," Raila stated.