The Kibra by-election is turning out to be a battle of wits indeed.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission can’t seem to agree on Jubilee’s candidate MacDonald Mariga whom they say registered as a voter too late–after the seat was declared vacant following the death of Ken Okoth to cancer in July.
What we are about to see is the battle of wits for the soul of Kenyan politics, a mock rehearsal for 2022. While this election could pass as just another by-election where the party defending its seat has an upper hand, things seem to have taken a turn immediately Mariga’s name was floated.
Deputy President William Ruto’s name has recently featured in by-election contests in which those said to have been his beneficiaries have triumphed. This perhaps could have been the cause for jittery and alarm that followed Mariga’s candidature. However, Mariga’s problem could hand Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC the much-needed boost as the ethnic arithmetic takes centre stage.
Let’s face it; for a long time, we have lived in denial that we buried the ghost of ethnicity while the truth is, it’s the king in every election in Kenya. This is the reason for all past post-election chaos where residents affiliated to a certain party are believed to all belong to the same tribe and have the notion that they can only elect one of their own.
Musalia will take cognisance of the huge number of his tribal base to rally support for his candidate Eliud Owalo, something that would have gotten a beating with Mariga also running. It will be an interesting match given the tribal leanings and DP Ruto’s much-feared campaign machinery.
The cards will have been shuffled once Mariga’s appeal is determined.
Economic and political analyst
