The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has pulled out of the upcoming Nairobi gubernatorial by-election.
ODM Chairman John Mbadi said in the spirit of the handshake between President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, the party will not field a candidate in the February 18th, 2021 by-election.
He indicated that ODM and Jubilee are in talks to field a joint candidature where the ruling party will produce the gubernatorial aspirant while the former will give a running mate. Mbadi said the two parties are yet to arrive at the official lineup.
“I can confidently say that our discussions are around having our partners producing a gubernatorial candidate…We have so far shared on the phone with Jubilee on our plans and we will make the final communication in due course,” he told a local daily.
In an interview earlier this week, Odinga said ODM was open to partnering with the President Kenyatta-led party in the Nairobi by-election.
“Whatever working condition we can craft in Nairobi, which is cosmopolitan and we share it with Jubilee, we will negotiate and get a suitable pair that we can deliver for the people of Nairobi,” Odinga said.
Jubilee cleared former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru and businesswoman Agnes Kagure to fight for the party’s ticket.
On the other hand, ODM Women league president Beth Syengo and former Homa Bay gubernatorial contender Sam Wakiaga were set to battle it out for the ODM ticket in the by-election.
The Nairobi governor seat fell vacant following the impeachment of Mike Sonko earlier this month.
