This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
On September 2, 2019, former Kenya international midfielder McDonald Mariga announced his retirement from football to join active politics.
At the time, the 32-year-old was at the Jubilee Party headquarters in Nairobi, hoping to get cleared to participate in the ruling party's nomination exercise for its candidate in the Kibra by-election.
Mariga's supporters, dressed in red t-shirts emblazoned with his name and favourite jersey number 17, were seen carrying placards as they accompanied him to the party headquarters.
Mariga was expected to meet Jubilee's elections board for a vetting process, which would be a crucial step in his bid to become the party's candidate in the Kibra by-election.
He was not the only one, as six other candidates were also expected to undergo a similar vetting process.
Mariga's decision to retire from football and enter politics was seen as a significant move, especially given his glittery professional football career, which included a Uefa Champions League title, an Italian Serie A title, and a Coppa Italia during his time at Inter Milan.
