This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
Published on September 3, 2019, a Jubilee party aspirant in the Kibra mini poll has challenged the selection of football star McDonald Mariga as the party's candidate, citing irregularities and secrecy.
Mr. Morris Peter Kinyanjui, one of the 16 aspirants interviewed by Jubilee's National Elections Board (NEB), claimed that Mariga's selection was 'not only unfair, deceptive and shrouded in secrecy but also contrary to the provisions of the Jubilee Party constitution.'
According to Article 11 of the party's constitution, nominations should be 'open, free, fair and transparent' through consensus, secret ballot, or through the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
However, Kinyanjui alleged that the NEB 'arrogated upon itself powers it does not have to conduct the aforesaid selection' and did not inform the aspirants.
He claimed to have learned of Mariga's nomination through the media, describing it as a 'sad reminder of the dark Kanu days.'
Jubilee NEB chairman Andrew Musangi defended the party's choice of Mariga, stating that he emerged the best among the 15 contestants.
However, Kinyanjui's petition has raised questions about Mariga's eligibility, with some claiming that he was registered as a voter less than three weeks ago and his name was not yet among the gazetted Kibra voters by IEBC.
