The race to succeed the late Kibra MP Ken Okoth could be headed for a major face-off after Jubilee party candidate Macdonald Mariga on Sunday held a grand rally at the constituency.
Mariga finally hit the campaign trail in the constituency, armed with promises of how he intends to improve the lives of the slum-dwellers if elected the next MP.
Mariga promised to have all Kibra children access basic education. “I will ensure the growth of businesses here. We will look for ways to ensure those (business people) who earn Sh2,000 a day to increase their profits to Sh10,000,” stated Mariga.
He also promised to create new jobs for the Kibra youths as one way of engaging the youths and getting rid of idleness among many in the slum area.
Mariga will be battling it out with ODM’s Imran Okoth, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and Ford Kenya’s Ford-Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi.
It is expected that Deputy President William Ruto will soon lead a contingent of Jubilee leaders garnered especially from the Tanga-tanga wing of Jubilee in campaigning for Mariga.
At the beginning of September, Ruto who was coming from a function at Moi Girls School Kibra addressed the residents of Kibra and promised to return for by-election campaigns.
Even Ruto is expected in Kibra, a number of Jubilee MPs have vowed not to set foot in the constituency for Mariga’s campaigns.
According to the leaders led by nominated MP Maina Kamanda, they as they view Mariga hard to sale in the constituency that is considered Odinga’s bedroom.
They have vowed to support the ODM candidate as one way of embracing the handshake between the president and ODM party boss.
The by-election is set for November 7, 2019.
