An MP closely associated with Deputy President William Ruto has revealed the main reason that pushed the country's second in command to field McDonald Mariga in Kibra by-election.
Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta formally endorsed Mr Mariga, despite opposition the former footballer is facing from his own Jubilee party.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech now says Ruto's decision to field Mariga was critical since it will help him demonstrate that Jubilee party has a future.
Also Kibra being within the country's capital, Mariga's presence or even victory will send a message that Dr Ruto's quest for State House is not something to joke with.
“Kibra has significance to us. Firstly, a win for us will demonstrate that Jubilee, on whose ticket DP will run, is the party of the future.
"Also, capturing Kibra, which is in the capital city and held by our opponents, would be a good sign of bigger things to come,” Mr Koech said.
Dr Ruto wondered why some Jubilee leaders were opposed to Mariga's presence in the race, adding that Handshake had nothing to do with killing parties.
“The handshake was never meant to kill parties or replace competitive multi-party democracy. Those ranting about our party leader endorsing our party candidate should give us a break. So it’s right for all others to endorse theirs and wrong for Jubilee? Fisi angojea mkono ya mtu story,” he said.
Already, Dr Ruto has identified Mr Raila Odinga as his main challenger in 2022, a move that has precipitated his decision start early campaigns.
“We are well aware that our main opponent will be Mr Odinga. We are also aware that the DP remains in firm control of Rift Valley and Central, and we do not want to lose a single vote from there,” Dr Khalwale said.
The ODM team picked former MP Ken Okoth's brother Imran to fly the party's flag. ANC fielded Raila's former aide Eliud Owalo while Ford Kenya has backed Eng Ramadhan Khamisi.