AfricaPress-Kenya: The Jubilee Party is preparing for a showdown with ODM after announcing that it will be fielding a candidate in the Bonchari Constituency by-election.
Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju unveiled former Bonchari Member of Parliament Zebedeo Opore as the party’s choice in the coming election.
Other Jubilee candidates who were announced include Abdul Yusuf (Garissa) and the late MP Francis Waititu’s widow Susan Waititu (Juja).
The ruling party is angling for the Juja and Garissa candidates to be elected unopposed.
Jubilee Vice Chair David Murathe noted that unlike in recent by-elections where the party withdrew participation in respect for ODM, they were ready for a showdown.
“Those asking why we are competing with ODM despite the handshake should know that the late MP was not from ODM, so there is nothing wrong with the decision. Our candidate was the 2nd runners up in the 2017 election, and he should be given a chance,” Murathe explained.
He added that the decision to field a candidate in Bonchari does not, in any way, affect partnership with ODM.
ODM picked former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Pavel Oimeke to fly the party’s flag.
This will be the first time the two parties will be going head-to-head since the hotly contested Kibra by-election in which ODM carried the day.
Eyes will also be on Deputy William Ruto’s candidate the late Bonchari MP John Oyioka’s widow Teresa Bitutu who will fly the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) flag.
People Democratic Party (PDP) on which the deceased was elected will not be fielding a candidate.
Party leader Omingo Magara said UDA and People Democratic Party (PDP) had agreed to support the widow since the MP belonged to the party.
