Jubilee party will not field a candidate in the anticipated Kibra by-election in solidarity with late Ken Okoth, the area MP who died last week, Senator Johnson Sakaja has said.
Speaker Justin Muturi is expected to declare the seat vacant soon, thereafter, interested candidates will br free to start campaigning to become second MP of the region.
Kibra, an informal settlement, was partitioned from the larger Lang'ata constituency, which was initially represented by opposition leader Raila Odinga. Ken Okoth became first MP on ODM in 2013.
Speaking on Thursday during a memorial service, Mr Sakaja, who was elected as Nairobi senator on Jubilee ticket, vowed to rally behind any candidate ODM would field in the spirit of handshake.
"Let it be known, let it be remembered, let it be written down in history that a great man from Kibra, Ken Okoth, once lived and that his legacy shall forever live in our hearts," he said.
"Jubilee will not field a candidate in the Kibra by-election. I will personally campaign for an ODM candidate for the seat with my brother Edwin Sifuna - Jubilee senator Johnson Sakaja," he added.
Early this year, Jubilee withdrew from Ugenya and Embakasi South by-elections in spirit of handshake, with the orange party also bowing out of Wajir West polls.
Thousands showed up for the memorial, which was surrounded by controversy, that saw a city MCA move to court to stop the burial, arguing that she had a son with Okoth.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga promised to ensure the matter is settled before the planned burial on Saturday. Ken had asked the wife, Monica, to have him cremated.
"We have sat down and everyone has made their case. We will get an understanding and I'm sure that we will be able to put Ken to rest the way he wanted," said Raila.