This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On August 26, 2019, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) received a letter from an unknown sender claiming to be from the Jubilee Party, listing five candidates for the Kibra by-election, including football star McDonald Mariga.
The letter, which was circulated on social media by State House digital strategist and blogger Dennis Itumbi, was addressed to IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and claimed that the Jubilee party had forwarded the names of their aspirants for the Kibra by-election.
However, when contacted for comment, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju denied writing the letter, stating that he had issued a press statement on Monday indicating that the party will field a candidate in the Kibra by-election.
Tuju said that he had issued a press conference telling those who are interested in contesting to get in touch because the party would not do the normal nomination process.
He also revealed that IEBC first notified him of the letter but was reluctant to admit it 'since they detected the signature lacked the normal secret codes.'
On the other hand, Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General Caleb Kositany appeared to authenticate the list, saying, 'Those are part of the aspirants who have expressed interest and others will still come.'
Meanwhile, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna expressed confidence that the party will recapture the seat, saying, 'Let us meet at the ballot.'
