The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Wajir West candidate, Mohamed Yusuf, on Tuesday withdrew from the by-election.
According to Kahawa Tungu Sources, the ODM candidate bowed down from the by-election following a deal he struck with Deputy President William Ruto.
It is also noted that Mohamed Yusuf withdrew from the race after an intervention by the Deputy President over fears of a slip vote since both the former ODM candidate and Jubilee’s Mohamed Kolosh come from the same clan.
It is further stated that Mr Yusuf opted to bow out from the race without prior discussions with his party leader, Raila Odinga.
Following the knowledge that Yusuf would be announcing his stand, ODM went ahead to call a presser to declare that they would be withdrawing from the race.
In a presser held by ODM leader Mr Odinga, the party stated: “…this is after high-level party consultations which arrived at the decision to reciprocate @JubileePartyK’s earlier gesture not to field candidates in by-elections in Ugenya & Embakasi South.”
Read: ODM Now Withdraws From Wajir West By-Election After Ugenya, Embakasi South Humiliation
Former ODM candidate, Yufus, would later announce his stepping aside while at DP Ruto’s Karen residence on Tuesday during a luncheon with leaders from his clan
Yusuf stated that the decision had nothing to do with ODM.
“I have today withdrawn from the Wajir West parliamentary seat by-election following days of negotiations within our community. ODM had nothing to do with it,” he asserted.
He stated that the decision was arrived at as a community and believe it is the best way forward.
“This decision has nothing to do with the ODM party, which had earlier given me a direct ticket to contest the seat,” he affirmed.
Mr Yusuf will now support his former opponent Kolosh in the upcoming elections.
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