Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed claims that he's in contest with Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga in Kibra polls.
IEBC has scheduled November 7th for the by-election which has attracted seven candidates. The seat was left vacant following the death of Ken Okoth.
At Mash Park Hotel on Tuesday, Dr Ruto maintained that the upcoming polls have nothing to do with him or opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is considered as a dominant figure in the area.
Dr Ruto has been pushing for election of McDonald Mariga, who joined Jubilee party recently. A number of Jubilee legislators have disowned him.
"Let no one confuse you that this by-election is a contest between Raila, Ruto and Musalia (Mudavadi). The race is between MacDonald Mariga, Eliud Owalo, Imran Okoth and other candidates," he said.
The DP called for peaceful campaigns in the by-election urging politicians to shun inciting residents, and allow them to exercise their democratic right freely.
“We want this contest to be peaceful, and devoid of name-calling so that the people of Kibra can decide without interference on the best candidate,” he said.
Mr Odinga is under pressure to have ODM party retaining the seat. He served as the area MP for two decades before Kibra was split from Lang'ata.
On Tuesday he met ODM legislators in Nairobi where they all agreed to donate Sh50,000 each for Imran Okoth's campaigns. Makadara MP George Aladwa is in charge of campaigns.
“The meeting was majorly about the Kibra campaigns. We want to involve the MPs. We have agreed on a certain amount, but we have said they can contribute as much as they can,” Mr Junet Mohamed said.