Kibra parliamentary seat aspirant on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket Bernard Otieno Okoth has received a major boost in his bid to become next area Member of Parliament.
Moments after Okoth, popularly known as Imran, was declared the winner of party primaries held on Saturday, ODM experienced politicians have pledged to rally behind him, and ensure he clinches the seat.
Led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, who is also the ODM Director of Political Affairs, the leaders vowed to unite the party and campaign hard to secure Okoth's victory.
"Congrats, Bernard Otieno Okoth, on your nomination as the ODM candidate in the Kibra Constituency by-election. All Party compatriots must now close ranks and join hands with other progressive forces to defeat, comprehensively, the resurgent reactionary elements on November 7th," Wandayi tweeted.
On her part, Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua asked other aspirants who lost to Okoth in the nominations to throw their weight behind him, and ensure the Raila Odinga-led party reclaims the seat.
"Congrats, Bernard Otieno Okoth, on your nomination as the ODM candidate in the Kibra Constituency by-election. Thanking all the other candidates for their spirited fight.... but we must all now close ranks and join hands and win this," she posted on Sunday.
"To all our Kibra ODM supporters and voters... we appreciate you for a peaceful job well done. We shall walk with you in the campaign journey. On voting day please come out in our dominance and not just win but win big," Mutua added.
Raila Odinga Junior, the youngest son of ODM party leader, also made a similar rallying call.
"Congratulations Imran Okoth as you set out on the journey of capturing the Kibra seat as the flag bearer of ODM. Let us all as party members now work together in unity to bring it home on 7th November," Junior tweeted.
Okoth will battle it out with McDonald Mariga (Jubilee), Eliud Owalo (ANC) and Ford-Kenya's Engineer Khamisi Butichi.