This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On September 3rd, 2019, Jubilee Party announced its candidate for the Kibra parliamentary by-election, scheduled for November 7th. The party's National Elections Board (NEB) had vetted 16 candidates, and McDonald Mariga emerged as the top choice.
Mariga scored 500 out of 600 marks in the interview, conducted by six panelists, according to Citizen Digital. The candidates were assessed on their knowledge of party policies, ability to finance campaigns, understanding of parliamentary work, and vision for Kibra.
Addressing reporters outside Jubilee Party headquarters in Nairobi, Mariga stated that he made the decision to run for the seat after consulting with his family, dismissing claims that he was Deputy President William Ruto's project.
Mariga, a 32-year-old former Harambee Stars midfielder, emphasized that he was not being used by anyone and that he would support whoever won the election, as he was born and raised in Kibra.
The seat became vacant following the death of former MP Ken Okoth, who passed away on July 26th, 2019, due to colorectal cancer while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital.
