McDonald Mariga disqualified from Kibra by-election

McDonald Mariga disqualified from Kibra by-election

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has disqualified McDonald Mariga from contesting in the upcoming Kibra by-election.

Mariga, who was the Jubilee Party candidate in the November 7 by-election, was kicked out of the race on grounds that his name could not be found in the 2017 voters register.

The retired footballer, who was accompanied by among others ex-Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, had reported to the commission to present his nomination certificate as well as to undergo a scrutiny process.

Mariga on September 2, 2019 officially presented his papers to the Jubilee Party for consideration to vie for the Kibra Parliamentary seat.

The former Kenyan international alongside 15 other aspirants appeared before the Jubilee National Elections Board  for vetting and scored 500 out of the possible 600 marks in the interview, hence was chosen to fly the party’s flag.

Mariga is now set to head to the IEBC Disputes Resolutions Tribunal to appeal the decision, saying “I am a registered voter, I don’t know why they can’t find my name.”

The Kibra MP seat, which fell vacant following the July 26 death of Ken Okoth, has attracted a number of candidates from various parties.

Former Raila Odinga aide Eliud Owalo was unveiled as Musalia Mudavadi-led Amani National Congress (ANC) party’s candidate in the race while Eng. Khamisi Butichi will fly the Ford Kenya party’s flag.

Late MP Ken Okoth’s brother Bernard ‘Imran’ Okoth will contest the seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket after emerging victorious in the Saturday primaries.

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