ODM candidate for Kibra by-election Imran Okoth cannot afford to lose the contest to Jubilee's McDonald Mariga, political analyst Prof Herman Manyora has said.
Speaking during an interview with K24 on Sunday night, Manyora said that Imran's loss will be a big blow to ODM leader Raila Odinga.
He said that Raila was known to control the political alignments in the country but now the focus has shifted to Deputy President William Ruto.
He noted that the race will be a do-or-die situation for Raila as he seeks to remain in control of the region's voting pattern.
"Raila Odinga used to be the man of strategy in this country, now it is William Ruto. It will be devastating for Raila if he loses Kibra by-election," he said.
Manyora held that he at first underestimated Mariga but the support he has received has strengthened him so much.
He added that ANC's Eliud Awalo was considered Imran's greatest opponent but that is no longer the case.
"At first I would have put my money on Eliud Owalo. It was a race between Owalo and Imran Okoth at first. But out of nowhere, the man we had dismissed became strong, Mariga," noted Manyora.
The analyst offered that Raila's move to reach out to Governors Alfred Mutua and Charity Ngilu has sent a strong message to former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
"By bringing on board Prof @governorkibwana and @mamangilu, @RailaOdinga is sending @skmusyoka a message. Remember there was a Kalonzo problem before," he said.