This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
Kibra By-Election: Mariga's Candidature in Disarray Over Campaign Funds ¶
Macdonald Mariga's campaign for the Jubilee party in the Kibra parliamentary by-election is facing challenges due to wrangles over campaign funds. The issue has led to a confrontation between some MPs and Jubilee supporters at Weston Hotel in Nairobi.
According to a source, the MPs do not want funds to be channeled to political activists and party supporters, arguing they do not have the capacity to mobilize voters. On the other hand, party supporters and activists are accusing the MPs of pocketing the money given to them for voter mobilization.
DP William Ruto has held several meetings at Weston Hotel with Jubilee officials and MPs in a bid to end the wrangles. The first casualty was former Kakamega senator Bonny Khalwale, who was dropped from Mariga's strategy team over campaign funds fraud.
Khalwale was given Sh3 million for mobilization in Kibra but ended up using only Sh100,000, which he gave to a group of 'Luhya leaders' purportedly to do the mobilization on his behalf. The issue became heated at Weston Hotel when two MPs from the Rift Valley confronted him and demanded a share of the money, but Khalwale refused to part with even a single cent.
Meanwhile, Nairobi Jubilee Party MCAs have endorsed Mariga's candidature. Led by majority leader Abdi Guyo, the ward reps have pledged to conduct door-to-door campaigns for Mariga to ensure he wins the seat. The development comes after Uhuru and Ruto assured Mariga of their full backing.
Other Jubilee leaders who have denounced Mariga include Youth and Gender Affairs CAS Rachael Shebesh, who claimed Uhuru did not endorse the ex-footballer. In a widely circulated video clip, Shebesh is heard saying that Uhuru never endorsed Mariga for Kibra MP in the by-election.
She said a few individuals fronting Mariga sneaked him through the backdoor into State House and forced Uhuru into accepting to pose for a photo with him. But politicians allied to Ruto denounced Shebesh, saying her remark amounts to misconduct and disrespect to the party and called for her resignation.
On the other hand, several youths from Mt Kenya region have backed ODM candidate Imran Okoth, saying the handshake is paramount. They said they snubbed Jubilee candidate in the spirit of the handshake and will mobilize their people and fellow Jubilee party members to support, vote, and protect the votes of ODM's Imran Okoth.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, 23 candidates have been cleared to vie for the Kibra by-elections, with seven being independent candidates. The front runners for the poll are ODM's Imran Okoth, Mariga, and ANC's Eliud Owalo.
