Inter-party wars surface as Embakasi South by-election campaigns end

ODM leader Raila Odinga and candidate Irshrad Sumra during the Embakasi South Constituency campaigns at Mukuru Kwa Reuben. [Emanuel Wanson/Standard]

Differences between opposition parties that once sang the same song of unity were apparent on Tuesday as campaigns for the Embakasi South parliamentary mini-poll ended.

The parties were once united under the National Super-Alliance (NASA)

While Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula campaigned for Wiper’s Julius Mawathe, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga was campaigning for ODM’s Sumra Irshad.

Mr Mawathe and Mr Sumra will be facing off with 10 other candidates from different parties. The two candidates are the most popular.

Mawathe is the immediate former MP. He lost his position when the Supreme Court ruled that there was no evidence to support the results that the electoral body used to declare him the winner.

Sumra had filed the petition. He had been battling to oust Mawathe since the latter was declared winner.

Mr Odinga led a rally at Vision Grounds Plaza, where he addressed Sumra's supporters, while Mr Kalonzo and Mr Wetangula addressed a rally at Mukuru kwa Reuben.

The pro-Mawathe group was also accompanied by youths from Jubilee Party wearing party T-shirts. They were drumming support for him.

Kalonzo downplayed the differences between his party and ODM, saying Sumra was just 'bothering' Odinga to back him.

Wetangula downplayed the influence Sumra has and expressed optimism that Mawathe will carry the day.

Different candidates roamed the constituency, making stop overs at Mukuru kwa Njenga and Mukuru kwa Reuben slums which have many voters.