Raila Urges Kibra MP Imran Okoth To Drop Bid for State Job

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance coalition party flagbearer Raila Odinga has urged incumbent Kibra MP Imran Okoth to drop bid.

Speaking on Sunday, the presidential hopeful asked Imran to step aside in exchange for a state job should the coalition party form the next government.

The ODM leader requested Imran to withdraw from the race in favor of Peter Orero Mwalimu who emerged the winner in the party primaries.

“Nataka muambie kijana yangu Imran mimi nitashika mkono yake awachane hapa sasa Mwalimu aingie,” Raila said.

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Loosely translates to: “Tell my son Imran I will hold his hand, let him leave this for Mwalimu.”

Expressing confidence in his candidacy, Raila assured the electorate that Imran will indeed be a part of his administration.

“Imran nitakuwa naye ndani ya serikali, awache Mwalimu aendelee hapa Kibra,” he added.

Loosely translates to: “I will be with Imran in government, let Mwalimu continue here in Kibra.”

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The former prime minister also asked the two to desist from fighting for the parliamentary seat.

This he said as he noted that they are his friends.

“Hawa wote ni watu yangu, sitaki wapigane hapa namna hii. Nataka mmoja awe pande hii ingine mwingine aendelee pale kwa bunge,” Raila said.

Loosely translates to: “They are both my friend, I do not want them to fight like this. I want one of them on this side (government) and the other in parliament.”

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The former premier also urged the electorate to adopt the six piece voting strategy in favour of ODM.

During the hotly contested party primaries, Imran garnered 2,739 votes against Orero’s 3,422.

Shortly after, the incumbent declared that he would face Orero on the ballot as an independent candidate.

He alleged the process was rigged in favour of his opponent.

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According to the legislator, the people of Kibra will not be led by “vifaranga vya kompyuta”.

In the 2019 by-election, the lawmaker garnered 24,636 votes with then Jubilee Party’s McDonald Mariga coming in second with 11,230 votes.

Imran succeeded his late brother, Ken Okoth who had succumbed to colon cancer.