Mathare MP hopeful Kevin Kioko, popularly known as Bahati, now faces fresh hurdles in his political bid after the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya resolved to zone the constituency.

ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said on Monday, June 27, 2022, that the coalition had settled on the incumbent, Anthony Oluoch, to fly their flag in the polls slated for August 9.

Speaking after a joint meeting with delegates from the ruling Jubilee party, on whose ticket Bahati is seeking to contest for the seat, Sifuna urged the candidate to withdraw from the race, to increase the chances of the Azimio coalition clinching the seat.

“Our colleagues from Jubilee will be presenting their candidates from eight constituencies and those from ODM will present some from eight constituencies,” Sifuna said.

“Zoning was done perfectly even here in Mathare we have agreed that it’s an ODM zone. We only have one candidate in Mathare and that is Anthony Oluoch, this young man called Bahati is my younger brother and we will talk. I will make sure that we find him another position within the Azimio government.”

The latest development comes days after the Azimio council resolved to have weak candidates step down in favour of their stronger counterparts within the coalition that brings together over 20 parties. The resolutions were made during a meeting chaired by presidential candidate Raila Odinga last Friday.

Bahati’s ‘premium tears’

Bahati, a renowned singer, was handed the Jubilee party ticket last month after he cried publicly to protest against the zoning of the Mathare constituency as an ODM stronghold.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has given a deadline of June 30 – which is Thursday this week – as the last day to withdraw candidates already cleared for various positions. Any requests after Thursday will not be entertained.

IEBC plans to commence printing of ballot papers from July 1.