Veteran opposition and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has launched a scathing attack on Deputy President Dr William Ruto.
Raila took issue with the DP's sentiments last week that the Jubilee government would help McDonald Mariga in developing Kibra should the governing Jubilee party candidate be elected in the upcoming by-election. The former prime minister did not mince his words, describing the DP's words as outright rubbish.
"I heard the deputy president say that they will help their candidate with development. Why wait then and not do what you want to do. You are the deputy president. You are in government (Sasa naskia mwingine anakuja hapa deputy president anasema ati sijui Nani atafanya hii, tutasaidia yeye. Mbona kitu gani imezuia wewe kufanya wakati huu. Wewe ndiye naibu was rais, so we iko kwa serikali), " Raila Odinga said. (0:02-1:17)
The ODM supremo made strong comments in Kibra during a meeting with members of the Gusii community residing in the constituency. He drummed up support for the ODM candidate Imran Okoth.
The parliamentary race has been framed by some political pundits as a proxy war between Raila Odinga and the deputy president.
The two have had the opportunity to descend on the constituency, underscoring the seriousness with which they are taking the by-election.
Kibra residents will have the opportunity to choose who will be their next member of parliament until 2022 when they will have another opportunity to choose a legislator.
The by-election was triggered by the death of former area member of parliament Ken Okoth who succumbed to cancer.