ODM: Kilifi poll victory will be replicated in Kibra

Leaders campaigning for the ODM candidate in Kibra have linked the victory in a recent ward by-election in Kilifi to the cooperation between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The politicians are optimistic the same coordination that led to the victory will be replicated in the city parliamentary race.

Jubilee nominated MP Maina Kamanda and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna (pictured) accompanied the ODM candidate Imran Okoth for a service at PEFA church in Laini Saba, Kibera.

Sifuna attributed the victory of the party's Reuben Katana in the Ganda minipoll to the Handshake.

"During the just-concluded Ganda by-election in Kilifi, our party won because of the Handshake spirit we are enjoying," he said.

Kamanda said the Handshake had calmed political tension and he is confident Imran will win in the November 7 poll.

"Before I was unable to visit Kibra, but now, together with other people in Jubilee Party, we can come here at any time and at will," he said.

Kamanda defended the Building Bridges Initiative, saying it will sail through when brought to wananchi. 

He said the BBI team visited all the counties and sought views from church leaders, the majority of whom support it.

"BBI views are being opposed by a few individuals who are also against the Handshake, but I can assure you their efforts to fight BBI is doomed and has failed," said Kamanda. 

Meanwhile, Imran said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared him of accusations of engineering violence in the constituency recently.