As campaigns for the Kibra by election continue to gather steam, divisions inside the Jubilee party over Macdonald Mariga’s candidature are evident.
Just a few days ago, a section of Jubilee lawmakers led by Maina Kamanda openly declared their support for ODM candidate Imran Okoth.
On the other hand, Jubilee legislators allied to DP Ruto have kept on lobbying for Jubilee candidate Mariga across Kibra.Despite president Uhuru Kenyatta endorsing Mariga’s ticket, he is yet to come in public and campaign for Mariga.
On his part, DP Ruto has vowed to teach ODM a lifetime lesson in the Kibra by election scheduled to take place on November 7th.
It should be remembered how a number of Jubilee leaders had earlier emphasized on the need of Jubilee not fielding a candidate in the election.
The reason why the handshake momentum is at stake here is because president Uhuru’s party is battling it out with Raila’s ODM.
It has jeopardized handshake proceedings and put the president between a rock and a hard place.
A section of the president’s confidants are lobbying for Mariga whilst part of them have joined hands with their ODM colleagues to lobby for Imran Okoth.
The handshake was meant to foster peaceful coexistence between Uhuru and Raila camps. However, such election campaigns have triggered exchange of political insults which might jolt the fruits of the handshake.
That is the likely outcome since Jubilee party has been unable to fully agree and lobby for Mariga’s candidature.