Just a few hours after submitting his papers for Jubilee Party candidature, football star McDonald Mariga is finally the party’s flag bearer in Kibra by-election.
Mariga beat 15 candidates in an interview to emerge the suitable candidate despite the rumored infighting within the party.
Earlier before the confirmation of his interests, it was reported that Deputy President William Ruto had favored Mariga while Jubilee Party Secretary General was accused of plotting to field a week candidate to give ODM party a through way.
The by-election is set for November 7 and already various parties have declared interest for the seat.
Amani National Congress (ANC) has fielded Former Raila’s aide Eliud Owalo for the battle while Ford Kenya Party gave Eng. Khamisi Butichi it’s party ticket.
ODM is yet to get its favorable candidate but will conduct nominations on September 7.
Below is what Kenyans had to say about Mariga’s candidature:
DAMN! Now we got to edit all the profiles of McDonald Mariga we've ever written. We got to change where he was born & bred to Kibra, without writing which part of Kibra. @gabrieloguda, as an avowed Kibran, please help. We might have to invent the years he was at Toi Pri. School😱 https://t.co/KUogxcyOUA
— Muganda Clay (@mqhlay) September 2, 2019
Does McDonald mariga need to be in parliament to be able to give back?
If he hasn't been able to give anything to kibra people upto now what makes you think akiingia atasaidia? https://t.co/ug43B0CPU8— ping pong official 🇰🇪 (@pauliddiali) September 2, 2019
Just watched this footage of McDonald Mariga… Quit bro, Just quit!
Start doing community project, help youth in Sports and realising their talents. Meanwhile, just quit politics.— Mundhir Abdirahman (@eastleighpundit) September 2, 2019
Apart from recruiting our youth into gambling. There is nothing that McDonald Mariga will do for the people of Kibra. This is just a jubilee dog barking at his masters will. The people of Kibra should pick someone who has their interest. One of their own. pic.twitter.com/4fG5luHntd
— Kelly Simba (@Kellysimba) September 1, 2019
I love politics of competition but if I were McDonald Mariga's advisor, I would have asked him to quit Kibra race. Largely, the area is an ODM stronghold. Dr Ruto is misleading the young man with a bright future. Kibra is not Lang'ata. It's Raila's base. He can't lose. pic.twitter.com/loOY4Dyrvo
— Abuga Makori EGH, MBE (@o_abuga) September 1, 2019
But honestly speaking, why should the people of Kibera elect McDonald Mariga as their MP? Is he a good debater or leader?
— Thuo Kimani Githuku (@thuogithuku) September 2, 2019