'Twende kazi', DP Ruto tells Jubilee after Uhuru meets Mariga

Deputy President William Ruto has called on Jubilee supporters to follow President Uhuru Kenyatta suit and support McDonald Mariga in the Kibra by-election.

In a post on his Twitter account, Ruto all those under the Jubilee party must come out in large numbers and drum up support for Mariga ahead of the November 7 contest.

This comes after Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta and other party officials held meeting with Mariga at State House.

"Now that Mariga Jubilee’s Kibra candidate was cleared by IEBC and formally unveiled today by our Party leader, it is all systems go. The ball is squarely in the court of all of us leaders serving under President Uhuru Kenyatta, party members and supporters to deliver the seat. Twende kazi jameni,” the tweet read.

The Kibra contest has often been touted as one between Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga to test their political prowess ahead of the 2022 election.

Uhuru while wishing Mariga victory in the contest said, he fully supports his candidature and will fully support him.

The President's endorsement of Mariga will also be seen as a test for the famous March 9, 2018 handshake between Uhuru and Raila.

In respect for the handshake, Jubilee and ODM have kept out of each others way in the previous by-elections.

Ruto’s sentiments come hours after their ODM competitors announced to have gathered all their brigade to support Benard 'Imran' Okoth who will be flying the Orange flag.

"ODM MCA's from Nairobi County Assembly held a consultative meeting with the party flag-bearer in the Kibra by-election Bernard Otieno Okoth (Imran). During the meeting called by the Minority Leader Elias Otieno, the Ward Reps said they will camp in Kibra to have Imran win," read a tweet on their handle.

Mariga and Imran are among 24 content ants cleared by IEBC to battle for the constituency seat.

The seat fell vacant after the late MP Ken Okoth succumbed to cancer.