Uhuru, Raila to Field Joint Candidate in the Nairobi Gubernatorial By-Election

President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga are set to unveil a joint candidate for the upcoming Nairobi gubernatorial by-election.

Nairobi County ODM chairman George Aladwa told Nation that the two will give final direction on the Jubilee-ODM cooperation in the February 18th mini-election.

"I want to make it clear that ODM is waiting for a joint resolve and communique from President Uhuru Kenyatta and our party leader Raila Odinga on the way forward regarding this mini poll," Aladwa said.

"I, therefore, call upon our esteemed supporters to wait for the official communication from our party leaders." 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is on Monday expected to publish a list of party and independent candidates for the seat.

Jubilee party submitted the names of former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru and businesswoman Agnes Kagure to the electoral commission last week. 

The two are seeking to vie for the seat using the ruling party’s ticket and could face off in the primaries.

Although ODM Women League chairperson Beth Syengo and former Homa Bay gubernatorial contender Sam Wakiaga expressed interest in the ODM ticket, the Raila-led party did not submit their names to IEBC.

There are plans to have the ruling party produce the Governor candidate while ODM will produce the running mate in the spirit of the handshake between Kenyatta and Odinga.

Last week, ODM national chairman John Mbadi said the party will back Jubilee’s candidate for the seat that fell vacant following the impeachment of Mike Sonko last month.