Deputy President Dr William Ruto has indirectly taken credit for victories registered in Embakasi South and Ugenya constituencies on Friday's by-election, in which a section of ODM leaders had dragged his name into.
On Tuesday, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala accused Ruto of sponsoring MDG candidate in Ugenya David Ochieng', with ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna also insisting that Wiper's Julius Mawathe was being bankrolled by the DP.
On my way from JKIA, I met Kipchumba Murkomen and Aaron Cheruiyot. They told me that as ODM, we are wasting time in Ugenya. I was very shocked. They told me that Ruto had bankrolled the other candidate (Ochieng').
"This election will be between Raila and Ruto. A vote for Chris is a vote for Raila. A vote for the other guy (Ochieng') is a vote to William Ruto. Please do not embarrass Raila. Ensure you vote for Karan," he's heard saying.
Mr Ochieng' floored ODM's Chris Karan by a margin of 4,000 votes while Mawathe recorded a margin of 13,000 votes against ODM candidate Irshad Sumra. The results caught the Orange party by surprise.
On Saturday, Dr Ruto, hailed the winners and tagged them to his presidential campaign slogan 'Husler', an indication that he might have after all fueled their campaigns silently according to ODM allegations.
"CONGRATULATIONS Ochieng (Ugenya) & Mawathe (Embakasi) for your God given victory. Jameni wacheni MUNGU aitwe MUNGU. The hustler nation has spoken, the people have decided. GLORY TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD," Dr Ruto said.
The ODM party has since conceded defeat with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna saying that the party had a day to forget. He however thanked party members for supporting the party's candidates.
"We had a tough day at the ballot. The entire @TheODMparty put in their best effort but we have come up short in both Ugenya and Embakasi South. I thank all those who turned out to support us. Congratulations are in order Hon. Mawathe and @WiperMovement. Godspeed," wrote Sifuna.