Imran bags Kibra ODM ticket after massive door-to-door campaign

Imran Okoth congratulated by ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna. [Standard]

Despite being heckled during the ODM introduction rally presided over by party leader Raila Odinga at Kamkunji grounds in Kibra, Bernard Okoth alias Imran still managed to bag the Orange party’s ticket for the November 7 by-election.

Okoth’s booing turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he turned to door-to-door campaign to face voters and sold himself as the man who was behind his brother’s good leadership.

 Having been the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) chairman for the last seven years, Okoth knew the right places to visit in the entire constituency and did exactly that to win majority’s support.

His main undoing was the cremation of his late brother Ken Okoth which his opponents tried to capitalised on.

Okoth, however, manoeuvred his way out of the smear campaign and floored his colleagues with 4,382 votes.

Dagoretti High School Principal Peter Orero emerged second with 1,218 votes while John Otieno was third with 906 votes.

Ben Musungu was fourth with 524 votes, Chris Odhiambo garnered 417 votes, Tony Ogola got 381 votes, Stephen Okello got 228 votes, Brian Owino got 127 votes, while Reuben Ojijo got 52 votes and Eric Obayi became last with 45 votes.

Returning Officer Julius Oremo termed the vote free and fair after announcing the results.

ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna congratulate the winner and Kibra voters for maintaining peace during the exercise.

“We want to congratulate our people for coming out and saying how they want to be governed through the ballot. We are happy the exercise was peaceful because it shows that we have grown as a party,” he said.

Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris urged all the aspirants to unite and back Imran so that the party can be strong going forward.

“Whoever wins the ticket, what we want to see is a united party because it is through that unity that we will retain the seat,” said Passaris.

The party election board has a dispute tribunal that will handle any grievances raised by aspirants today before the winner’s name is taken to Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In the event there are no issues or grievances raised, Okoth’s name will be forwarded to IEBC on Monday.

The nominations kicked off at 7 am and closed at 5 pm on Saturday.

Benard Okoth being congratulated by Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris after winning the ODM nominations. [Standard]

The exercise was marred by delays and several voters’ names were found to be missing from the IEBC register in most polling stations.

Okoth will now battle it out with other candidates in the race to succeed his late brother Ken who died of cancer on July 26.

All eyes now shift to serious campaigns with Jubilee party led by Deputy President William Ruto promising to invade the slum to drum up support for former footballer MacDonanld Mariga.

Ruto last week visited the constituency and promised to return with his full brigade to drum up support for Mariga.

Other candidates in the by-election include Eliud Owalo of Amani National Congress, Editar Achieng of Ukweli Party and Ford Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi.