Kibra by-election soiled handshake

Days after the death of Former Kibra MP, Ken Okoth, by-elections’ campaign started. A battle of ODM to retain the seat or jubilee to secure yet another Constituency. Both jubilee and ODM fielded candidates.

Many Kenyans among them leaders took to the streets the idea of jubilee not fielding a candidate in what they termed as the “spirit of handshake”.

Tables turned after jubilee led by their party leader Uhuru Kenyatta ‘fronted and ‘endorsed’ McDonald Mariga for Kibra race.

Moment after photos of Uhuru Kenyatta ‘endorsing’ jubilee Candidate, McDonald went viral , Babu Owino and other ODM leaders came out strongly to register their displeasure, rubbish handshake and told the former Prime Minister to be careful.

Owino and his team alleged that Jubilee are not honest about the handshake.

“Baba must be very careful with this thing called *HANDSHAKE* No fruits so far.We can not be duped twice. President Uhuru must be genuine with this handshake.Baba we must be very careful and if the *marriage* is void because one party is incompetent for being in a subsisting marriage or voidable, it’s not consummated then we must be out very fast,” Owino wrote on Facebook.

However, other ODM leaders led by Millie Odhiambo disagreed with Owino, saying the main agenda of handshake was to tone down the ethnic violence, foster unity and National cohesion among Kenyans.

The handshake deal loosened on 7th of November when goons organised by ODM leaders jilted, stoned and roughed up other leaders who were supporting jubilee candidate. This has caused uproar among jubilee leaders including those who were pro-handshake.

In his part, Moses Kuria, the MP for Gatundu South, condemned the attack and said it was uncalled for.

“ODM Party has to apologise for the Kibra violence. No apology, no BBI. We have to say No to political violence once and for all. Imran would have won anyway so what was the need to beat up Jubilee MPs infront of women and children? A leopard does not change its stripes,” he posted on Facebook

Women leaders in ‘Inua Wamama’ group have also lashed Raila Odinga claiming that he is behind the violence and the attack on jubilee leaders. Speaking during the Inua Mama rally in Uasin Gishu County on November 10, Laikipia Women MP Cate Waruguru said that Raila had hidden agenda under the handshake

“The president’s intent was peace, but Raila Odinga hid his cards under the table, and since we have found that card, today we declare that the handshake is officially dead,” Waruguru said.

Kenyans are asking themselves if the handshake was really a good idea for this country or it brought more harm than good.