This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
On September 4, 2019, Narok County Senator, Ledama Ole Kina, sparked controversy with his comments on Citizen Television, criticizing McDonald Mariga's decision to contest in the Kibra by-election.
Senator Ole Kina suggested that Mariga should stick to his football career, as people love him playing soccer, not politics, which he termed a 'dirty game'. However, his comments did not sit well with many Kenyans.
Viewers took to Citizen's Facebook page to express their discontent, questioning Ole Kina's statement and accusing him of being out of touch with reality. Some even pointed out that the current Liberian President is an ex-professional football player, making Ole Kina's comment seem shallow.
Others saw Ole Kina's comment as a reflection of the fear that veteran politicians have of being replaced by younger individuals in politics.
As the debate raged on, it was clear that Ole Kina's comments had struck a nerve with many Kenyans, who felt that he was being dismissive and arrogant.
