Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has swallowed his words after Jubilee Party announced it will field a candidate in the Kibra parliamentary by-election slated for November 7.
During the funeral service of former area MP Ken Okoth on August 1, Sakaja said the ruling party will not produce a candidate in the mini-poll, in the spirit of the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking at Moi Girls, Nairobi, the Senator further pledged to rally behind the ODM candidate and join in campaigns to be led by party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
"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," he said.
However, in a tweet on Tuesday, Sakaja disclosed his request to his party leader, who is President Kenyatta, not to field a candidate was declined.
The first-time Senator said he will respect Jubilee's decision and the law, which means he will not campaign for the ODM candidate as he had promised.
Political Parties Act prohibits a member of a particular party from advancing political interests of another party.
"Yes. I said I would request my party leader that Jubilee shouldn’t field. My request would either have been accepted or declined. My request was declined. I respect my party’s decision and the law," Sakaja posted.