Bahati declines Raila’s offer during a political tour of Nairobi County
2 min readBahati declines Raila’s offer to quit Mathare parliamentary race during a political tour of Nairobi County.
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Sunday, July 17, stepped in to quell sibling rivalry emerging within the Azimio Coalition.
Raila urged Kevin Kioko, also known as Bahati, and Kibra MP Imran Okoth to step aside and assist the election of ODM candidates in their respective seats during a series of rallies in Nairobi County.
Bahati is eying the Mathare parliamentary seat on a Jubilee ticket while Imran was seeking to defend his Kibra seat as an independent candidate.
Raila endorsed ODM’s Anthony Oluoch as the preferred candidate in Mathare while Okoth was challenged to support Peter Ochieng Orero.
He promised to give the two leaders jobs within his government should he win the August 9 polls.
“I want you to tell my son Imran that I will hold his hand. Let him leave here for Mwalimu (Peter Ochieng) to come in. I will be with Imran in the government.
“Here in Mathare, as Baba I know I have two children in the same race. Do you want me to advice you as Baba? This is what I want…I have Oluoch and Bahati, this is what I decide… I will hold Bahati’s hand,” stated the former Prime Minister at two separate rallies.
Raila made the announcement alongside Bahati who then left the venue immediately.
“Bahati is my child, I will give him a job in government. Ruaraka MP is TJ Kajwang while Mathare MP is Oluoch,” added Raila.
Bahati declines Raila’s offer
However, later in the evening in a statement on his social media page on Sunday, July 17, Bahati insisted he would be on the ballot saying Mathare residents have made up their mind about him being their next MP.
“Cleared by IEBC and my party Jubilee… Blessed by God as well as Mathare people who have decided that the next MP is Bahati Kioko. I, Bahati Kioko, will be on the ballot this August 9,” he wrote on a Twitter post.
Bahati and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna have been engaged in a political battle for the past month over allegations that the musician-turned-politician had withdrawn from the race.
However, Bahati has denied the claims insisting he’ll be on the ballot for Mathare parliamentary seat.
Also read,
Chebukati’s wife asks for prayers ahead of the elections, “pray for my husband”
Ruto leaving nothing to chance as he opens presidential campaign and tallying centre
Sonko reveals his phone call with President Uhuru Kenyatta while meeting Raila Odinga
Follow us
