This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
McDonald Mariga's bid for the Kibra Constituency by-election seat has sparked concerns among some Kenyans, with Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria being the latest to express his reservations.
On September 2, 2019, Mr Kuria took to Twitter to advise Deputy President William Ruto to let Mariga be, saying he would do well to focus on growing football talent in the country.
“Let Macdonald Mariga spend time to grow our football and our talents. Siasa itakuwepo leo, kesho na mtondogoo. @Williamruto let the young man be. He will live to join this silly, dirty game of politics another day,” tweeted Mr Kuria.
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has also spoken out against Mariga's candidature, accusing him of being a bad role model to the youth due to his betting endorsement.
Mr Mariga was cleared by the Jubilee party's election board to contest for the vacant parliamentary seat on Monday evening.
