‘Nimerudi nyumbani, sibanduki!’ Sharlet Mariam says as she announces ODM return

Sharlet Mariam Akinyi on Friday formally announced her return to the Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, days after abandoning her Msambweni Parliamentary bid.

Sharlet, speaking after a meeting between Coastal leaders and Raila, apologized for straying from the party saying she is now “here to stay.”

The former aide to Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko sought to assure the former premier that she will endeavor to campaign for Omar Boga, the ODM candidate in the Msambweni by-election race, and ensure victory for the party.

“Mtoto huwa akikosea, humchapi viboko ukimfukuza nje, unamchapa ukimrekebisha ukimrudisha nyumbani. Mimi nataka kuwahakikishia kwamba nimerudi nyumbani, and I’m here to stay,” she said.

“Nataka kutangaza pia rasmi kwamba nimejiondoa kwenye kinyang’anyiro cha kugombea kiti cha ubunge eneo la Msambweni. Kama mnavyojua, ile Kwale ni ngome ya ODM, na tunataka kuhakikisha ile kiti inabaki nyumbani.”

Sharlet added: “Kwa hiyo nimejiuzulu ili kuunga mkono ndugu yangu, rafiki yangu Omar Iddi Boga, na mimi nina uhakika kuwa sisi tunangojea tu kuapishwa.”

She further urged Msambweni residents to come out in large numbers and secure ODM win in the stronghold, telling them not to allow themselves be divided by “shetani.”

“Kwa hiyo wana Msambweni nataka kuwaambia kuna shetani ambaye amekuja kuiba, amekuja kubomoa, na amekuja kuua; kwa hiyo tusiruhusu shetani akuje tutanganyike pale” she said.

“Sisi tumeshikana na tunataka kukuhakikishia kuwa kile kiti kitabaki kwenye ngome ya ODM. Tuko tayari, na mimi niko hapa, siondoki sibanduki.”

Sharlet Akinyi Mariam, who was vying in the Msambweni Parliamentary by-election as an independent candidate, opts out of race; returns back to the ODM Party and pledges loyalty. pic.twitter.com/RlWD8qTbUo

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 13, 2020