This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
McDonald Mariga, a former Kenyan international football star, has thrown his hat into the ring for the Kibra Parliamentary seat, which fell vacant following the sudden death of Ken Okoth.
Mariga, who was raised in the Karanja area of Kibra, knows firsthand what life in the slums is like, as he shared with the media earlier today.
“I was raised here in Kibra, in Karanja, I know how it is like to live in a slum,” Mariga told the media.
Mariga officially presented his papers to the Jubilee Party for consideration to vie for the Kibra Parliamentary seat, denying that he is a political project for a powerful individual.
“I’m not being used by anyone. I want to give back to the community,” Mariga said.
Mariga also addressed speculation about his retirement from football, stating that he would confirm his status later when he was in a better position to talk about it.
Mariga's decision to run for office has raised questions about how his fans perceive him, but he defended his political stance, saying that it would not interfere with his stature as a footballer.
“It won’t interfere at all with my stature. Running for office is a decision I came to after a lengthy discussion with my family. It is also my way of giving back to the community,” Mariga said.
Mariga also addressed claims of undue influence pushing him as a preferred candidate, stating that there was no influence at all and that the decision rested with the Jubilee Party.
“There is no influence at all. We are all the same. We have to wait for them [Jubilee Party] to decide,” Mariga said.
