Bonchari By-Election: Is Handshake on Trial?
A clash between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is expected in the upcoming Bonchari constituency by-election scheduled for May 18th, 2021.
Gathogo Wanjiru 
Both parties have fielded a candidate in the upcoming Bonchari by-election with Jubilee giving former MP Zebedeo Opore the ticket while ODM backs the former EPRA Deputy General Pavel Oimeke.
In the recently held by-elections, both parties have been fielding candidates together depending on the grounds of who has the better chance in the by-election. The two have been competing against the UDA party which is affiliated with Deputy President William Ruto.
However, the Bonchari by-election is showing a different ball game as the ruling party wants ODM to pull out of the by-election and the vice-versa.
Jubilee argues it has placed a strong candidate while ODM believes that the region is its political stronghold.
"These are discussions going on because, honestly, Jubilee has the stronger candidate. We will persuade them to drop their candidature in favor of Jubilee," Jubilee deputy secretary-general Joshua Kutuny stated.
National Assembly minority leader John Mbadi however feels the handshake will not be affected by the Bonchari polls.
Jubilee candidates enjoy the support of One Kenya Alliance which is made up of KANU, ANC, and Wiper leaders.
Bonchari parliamentary seat fell vacant in February after the death of MP John Oroo Oyioka who succumbed to a long illness.
