Most Kenyans were expecting to see a clash of the Handshake unfold at the Embakasi South Constituency by-elections. We expected that Jubilee would field a candidate to field a candidate against ODM’s Irshad Sumra.
We were expecting dirty political battles where Raila would hold rallies and campaign for ODM’s candidate and Deputy President William Ruto would come in and try to dilute the Vitendawilis,
Unfortunately, Jubilee Party has announced that it will not be fielding candidates for the forthcoming parliamentary by- elections. This is a huge blow for us.
According to the party’s Secretary General Raphael Tuju, the decision was reached after wide consultations by its leadership.
“After wide consultations, the Jubilee Party leadership has decided that the Party shall not be fielding candidates for the forthcoming parliamentary by-elections in Ugenya and Embakasi South constituencies. This is in the spirit of furthering the steps of constructive engagements with the other main parties engaged in the contest and with an eye on the bigger picture,” he said in a statement.
Tuju said the party was acting in the best interest of various initiatives that will reduce political tension in the country after a divisive electoral period in 2017. He further urged those that will take part in the by-elections to do so with maturity and decorum ensuring that they maintain peace.
ODM has welcomed Jubilee’s decision with a thank you message on Twitter.
Thank you Jubilee Party. pic.twitter.com/2xi48T16FP
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) January 18, 2019
Could this alliance be the beginning of a new political formation ahead of 2022? Since the handshake, the two parties have agreed on several things. But one man should be very afraid because his ambitions to occupy statehouse are at risk.