ODM and Wiper Parties are gearing up for a gruesome political contest in the forthcoming Embakasi South parliamentary by-election slated for April 5th with both camps accusing each other of betrayal as both parties are keen to have their candidates win.
Speaking on February 5 after its candidate was cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the Embakasi South seat belongs to Wiper and exuded confidence that Julius Mawathe will win regardless of who vies for the same seat.
The Wiper party leader called on its NASA coalition partner ODM to pull out of the mini poll on the grounds that it is the only seat that wiper won in the 2017 elections.
In a rejoinder ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has told Wiper Party to prepare for a tough battle in the upcoming by-election in Embakasi South.
The seat fell vacant after Julius Mawathe’s 2017 election was nullified by the Supreme Court last December.
Mawathe vied on the Wiper party ticket but his win was challenged by ODM’s Irshad Sumra.
Speaking in Nyahururu town on Wednesday when he met ODM delegates from Nyandarua County, Sifuna maintained that Sumra will face off with Wiper, a partner in the NASA coalition.
MPs, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Charles Njagua (Starehe), George Theuri (Embakasi West) and East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Simon Mbugua endorsed Mawathe in the race that will be a battle between Wiper and ODM.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has however dismissed Wiper’s accusations and termed them as outrageous, affirming that the party through its leader Raila Odinga will in fact spearhead the campaign to ensure Sumra wins in the race that threatens to split the unity of the two parties down the middle.
He also defended Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho from his critics and dared politicians who have evidence that can link the Governor with Akasha brothers to step forward.
Speaking at the same time Nyandarua County ODM chairperson David Manyara refuted claims that there were fallouts in the party.
Mr Manyara noted that it was Nasa that collapsed after its leadership differed in ideologies and not ODM.