By-elections win not indicator of 2022 politics, Governor Joho warns
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has warned politicians from basing 2022 political success on their wins in various by-elections held across the country.
In a statement he released on Saturday, the ODM Deputy Party Leader says history of Kenya shows a by-election outcome has never been replicated in a general election.
"In the elections scheduled for 2022, Kenyans will not be guided by what happened in the Juja, Bonchari and Rurrii by-elections," the statement said.
"That reality should make us sober up, put those by-elections in the past and focus on what really matters to Kenyans right now," the statement added.
The governor urges leaders and Kenyans at large to pay attention to pressing needs such as the ravaging pandemic rather than focusing their discourse on the just concluded mini-polls.
He says winners and losers should end their blame games, celebrations and lamentations and channel their thoughts to what is at stake.
"The country cries for the unity of purpose. We have no option to provide it whether we won or lost in the by-elections," the statement said.
Joho remarks were echoed by ODM party leader Raila Odinga who shared the message on his social media.
His sentiments come barely a week after the conclusion of the by-elections in Bonchari, Rurii and Juja.
ODM party won Bonchari, UDA took Rurii ward and MP Moses Kuria's PEP party won Juja seat.
Winners of the by-elections emerged with the bragging rights saying the results paint a picture of how 2022 general elections will be like.
