This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
On November 3, 2019, McDonald Mariga, the Jubilee Party's candidate for the Kibra by-election, made a shocking promise to the residents of Kibra: to follow in the footsteps of the late Ken Okoth and fight for the legalization of marijuana.
Mariga's statement, which has sparked widespread controversy, was captured in a video shared by Boniface Mwangi, a vocal critic of Mariga's candidacy.
According to Mwangi, Mariga's promise to legalize marijuana is a slap in the face to the people of Kibra, who are struggling to make ends meet. Mwangi quoted Aristotle, saying, 'Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.'
Mariga's supporters, however, have come to his defense, accusing Mwangi of being a bitter political reject and a clout chaser. They argue that Mwangi is jealous of Mariga's popularity and is trying to undermine his campaign.
But Mwangi remains undeterred, saying that Mariga's fans don't see the sense in what he is saying. He argues that every politician uses Kenyans to project themselves and their own agenda without caring about the ordinary citizen.
As the Kibra by-election heats up, Mwangi's video has sparked a heated debate about Mariga's candidacy and his plans for the community.
