Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has paid tribute to the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, acknowledging that he's the greatest politician to ever emerge in Kenya.

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In reference to Kibra by-election on Thursday, the former county boss conceded that Odinga is calculative and always thinks ahead of everyone.

The latest confession by Kabogo comes moments after Odinga guided the ODM party to Kibra by-election victory which saw Deputy President William Ruto campaign for McDonald Mariga.

"Congrats Imran for your victory @kibra indeed Baba is an Enigma, hate or like him he’s Baba period," tweeted Kabogo, who is keen to inherit President Uhuru Kenyatta's Mt Kenya base.

Kabogo lost to Ferdinand Waititu in 2017 polls and has often accused Deputy President William Ruto of orchestrating his defeat on previous interviews.

ODM candidate Imran Okoth on Thursday clinched the Kibra seat having scored over 24,000 votes in a closely contested election that almost split the country.

His closest challenger MacDonald Mariga, a former Kenyan international, conceded defeat way before Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced Okoth as the winner.

"After the election, we should go back to our past life and strengthen our friendship. I will offer you maximum support," Mariga said as quoted by the Star.

Imran acknowledged his congratulatory message in a tweet saying, "I'm humbled to have received a congratulatory call from @MarigaOfficial. That’s the spirit of politics. I promise to move forward with every interested party for the good of our people. God bless Kibra."

Odinga, who has claimed presidential victory thrice, supported Okoth, a brother to the immediate former MP Ken Okoth.

The ODM leader has won accolades across the continent as the father of modern democracy given his persistence fight for freedoms and civil rights in the country.