This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On November 3, 2019, Jubilee aspirant McDonald Mariga addressed a crowd in Kibra, where he made a surprise promise to push for bhang legalization in the country if elected as the area's legislator.
Mariga's statement, made in Kiswahili, went viral on social media, with many interpreting it as a joke. However, the seriousness of his promise was not lost on the crowd, who were wowed by his words.
Mariga's statement read: "Mnataka tuongelee mambo ya Shada. Shada mmeskia inaccurate cancer. Hio lazima tuipush. Hatutaki mambo ya shada ya kupiga watu. Muniingize bunge tusk me mambo ya shada," which translates to "(You want us to speak on bhang legalization? We have all heard that bhang cures cancer. However, we do not want you to misuse bhang by becoming aggressive and violent to people after using it. Vote me into parliament and I will push for its legalization."
Mariga's promise to push for bhang legalization has sparked debate in Kibra, with many residents weighing in on the issue. While some have welcomed his promise, others have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of legalizing the substance.
Mariga also promised to improve the lives of Kibra residents by ensuring they have access to clean water, building stadiums, and other development projects.
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