ODM leaders in Kilifi County have urged both the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Kenya Kwanza to rally behind former Magarini MP Harrison Kombe in the upcoming by-election.
Kombe lost his parliamentary seat in May last year after the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that nullified his 2022 election victory due to electoral malpractices, leading to the by-election.
Recently, President William Ruto indicated that his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party would consult with ODM to determine the most suitable candidate to support in the race.
Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu stated that ODM leaders in the region, led by Governor Gideon Mung’aro, would persuade the president to ensure that the seat remains under ODM’s control.
On the other hand, UDA is expected to back Stanley Kenga, who filed the petition that led to the nullification of Kombe’s election. In the 2022 election, Kenga garnered 11,925 votes against Kombe’s 11,946.
While on a tour of the Coast region two weeks ago, President Ruto dismissed speculation that the by-election would strain his political collaboration with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“I know there are skeptics who think this by-election will cause confusion and disrupt our partnership. I want to assure them that, as leaders committed to national unity and a broad-based agenda, we will find common ground and support the most suitable candidate,” said President Ruto.
The by-election is expected to be a key political contest, with both UDA and ODM strategizing on how to secure the seat.
