This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
Former Harambee Stars player McDonald Mariga has been chosen by the Jubilee Party to contest the Kibra by-election, set for November 7, 2019.
Mariga made the announcement on September 2, 2019, after being interviewed by the Jubilee National Elections Board (NEB) for the party ticket.
He dismissed claims of a 'hidden hand' in his move to contest, stating that he made the decision to try his hand in politics after thorough soul-searching and consultation with his family.
“That's my decision and I'm not being pushed by anyone. There is no influence. I decided, together with the family, that I try it,” Mariga said.
Mariga will face ANC's Eliud Owalo, Ford Kenya's Khamisi Butichi, and an ODM candidate in the by-election.
However, his decision to seek the party ticket had divided the giant ruling party down the middle, with claims DP William Ruto was pushing for his candidacy.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has already endorsed an ODM Candidate via a Facebook post, stating that political tourists and slum tourists will not help Kibra.
Activist Boniface Mwangi has also come out to warn Kenyans against electing the likes of McDonald Mariga, terming him a bad influence on the youth.
“Kibra people, learn from Starehe and Langata. They decided to elect socialites and they're now suffering. Mariga's contribution to the Kenyan youth was to get them addicted to gambling. He has billboards across Kenya promoting betting. Don't send such a person to parliament,” he tweeted.
