Jubilee candidate Macdonald Mariga’s fate in Kibra could have been thrown into disarray after Imran Okoth was nominated to fly ODM’s flag in the oncoming November 7 By-Elections.
According to a larger number of social media users, Okoth’s nomination spells doom to William Ruto’s fronted candidate since Mariga’s political survival largely relied on the candidate ODM was going to front for the race.
Okoth, also popularly known as Imran, floored the other nine aspirants in Saturday’s ODM primaries with 4,382 votes to emerge the victor.
With his victory, most users were of the opinion that Imran was going to automatically win the Kibra race owing to the fact that the nominations were considered free and fair by many.
It is now clear that Kibra people are paying back the doyen Ken Okoth through his brother Imran Okoth. My friends no need of campaigning Kibra has already decided. Opined one Facebook user.
All eyes now shift to campaigns with Jubilee party promising to invade the slum well known as Raila’s backyard for decades.
Deputy President last week visited the constituency and promised to return with his full brigade to drum up support for Mariga.
Benard Okoth, brother to the late Ken Okoth is going to face-off with Jubilee’s Macdonald Mariga, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and Ford Kenya’s Engineer Khamisi Butichi in Kibra.
Dear @McDonald_Mariga,We now have a candidate for Kibra,and to be honest this guy deserved it, My advice to you is that bring the campaign money, let's move around western and do something good for kakamega people, then 2022,we can beat Khalwale on Jubilee nomination for Governor pic.twitter.com/UDeVXLNO7J
— Hillaire Lilechi 🇰🇪 🇯🇲🇩🇪🇦🇺 (@hills_prince) September 8, 2019
Sultan Santiago Aruya KIBRA BY-ELECTIONS. The ODM candidate Imran Okoth will win by a landslide.
1.Imran Okoth ODM 90%
2. Eliud Owalo ANC 9%
3. Mariga Jubilee 1%
Ruto’s candidate will fail terribly
Congrats to Imran Okoth for taking the ODM ticket. You may not exactly fit in your late brother's shoes but have what it takes. Also congrats to the ODM party for conducting well organized party nominations. Meanwhile,the thunder that will hit Mariga is doing press ups in Sugoi
— Mukami (@Mukami_Mungai) September 8, 2019
Kim Amos Purity Mukami I wish this guy could not have won. It could be easy through pass for the bet in guy
ANC Eliud Owalo, Jubilee's McDonald Mariga Mr. Betin, Ford Kenya Eng. Khamisi Butichi be prepared to welcome the next ODM's MP Kibra Constituency Mr. Bernard Otieno ( Imran Okoth ) who happens to be the late Ken Okoth's brother.#ODMDecides pic.twitter.com/Kq0NnCxNW5
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@CisNyakundi) September 7, 2019
Ruto unknowingly helped ODM to get the best Candidate ever for Kibra Seat, when he Forced Mariga to vie for the seat.
His move opened ODM eyes to do free and fair nominations and get peoples choice.
Ruto na Mariga Watapa Taabu Sana Kibra.
Imran Okoth All They Way.#ODMDecides pic.twitter.com/jARbHlWRsg
— Gideon Kitheka Jnr. 🇰🇪 (@Gideon_Kitheka) September 8, 2019
Happy for Imran ,he stood with Ken Okoth’s widow through thick and thin,born and raised in Kibra,Kibra people vote for Imran (I am not in ODM) just supporting the #Handshake😆😆😆#KibraDecides It’s Imran Vs Mariga ..Clean sweep for Imran .. https://t.co/DNLQM4d5Ec
— TavetaFinest🇰🇪 (@Tumaini_Nduati) September 8, 2019
Kibra People Decides its Imran Okoth.
Election is over, we are waiting for November 8th to be handed over the Certificate.Ruto na Kiburi yake will regret why he deceived Mariga, to enter into politics, after Moses Kuria warned him not to introduce Mariga into politics now. pic.twitter.com/ZGqXuFLfy5
— Gideon Kitheka Jnr. 🇰🇪 (@Gideon_Kitheka) September 8, 2019
However, there are some who expressed their faith that Mariga will trounce Okoth in the ballot. According to them, Okoth was riding on the sympathy of his late brother something they opined it could work against his expectations.
Purity Mukami Sympathy votes??????May God forbid!!!Kenyans must wake up!
Harun Gichohi Baba Yao Just because Imran lost his brother does not mean that he can be preferred by votes. That’s a contemptuous statement.
It is a good litmus paper, footballers have made it elsewhere in politics. Mariga for kibra can do it.
— Moindi Rioki (@6f2c48cf73f1433) September 8, 2019
Baba Yao It’s only in Kenya where we have Sympathy votes.
Tupatane Debeni, McDonald Mariga atapeleka uyu nyumbani asubuhi na Mapema.
#RutoThePoliticalGiant
Politically out of order… What next? Jubilee will take the day. ODM is going to pay for it.
— Kiarie (@Kiarie13952975) September 7, 2019
