This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
Published on September 17, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta's silence on McDonald Mariga's Kibra parliamentary bid has left the former footballer struggling to gain traction in the constituency.
Mariga, who is running on the Jubilee ticket, has faced numerous setbacks since announcing his interest in representing the people of Kibra.
Despite being cleared to vie for the seat after initially being flagged off for not being a duly registered voter, Mariga's campaign has been stagnant, with some Jubilee senior politicians abandoning him to endorse ODM's Imran Okoth.
Mariga, who is closely sheltered by Deputy President William Ruto, will face off against political heavyweights Imran Okoth and Eliud Owalo in the November 7 polls.
President Kenyatta's decision not to support Mariga has been seen as a blow to the former footballer's political aspirations, with some interpreting it as a sign that the head of state is focused on development agendas and other important state functions.
Mariga's campaign has been marred by ridicule over his lack of political muscle, with some questioning his ability to fill the shoes of the late Ken Okoth's visionary leadership.
