Jubilee Party's National Election Board (NEB) has reportedly cleared football star McDonald Mariga to vie for the Kibra by-election scheduled for November 7.
According to Nation, Mariga is among 16 other candidates who will contest for the party's ticket.
Jubilee NEB Chairperson Andrew Musangi revealed to the publication, that the decision on who will emerge as the party's flag bearer will be announced on Monday, after having completed the interviews.
Other candidates who have been shortlisted include Jack Owino, Omondi Rajab, Daniel Adem, Daniel Orogo, Ramadhan Hussein, Frank Amollo, Morris Kinyanjui, Walter Trenk, Ibrahim Said, Doreen Wasike, Geoffrey Mwangi, Oscar Kambona, Bukachi Chapin, Jane Githaiga and Timothy Kaimenyi.
Mariga's clearance comes against the backdrop of People Daily's, reports which confirmed that the DP had identified the 32-year-old footballer as the “right” candidate for the Kibra by-election, which fell vacant following the death of Ken Okoth on July 26, 2019.
“He first sought to know whether the footballer was a registered voter and luckily, Mariga is registered in Starehe Constituency,” revealed a source, who according to the publication, was authorised to speak on behalf of the party.
The DP is then alleged to have contacted the Jubilee Party leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta, concerning fielding a candidate in Kibra.
“The party leader gave the nod and Tuju was directed to make the announcement and invite interested candidates to present their names,” the source maintained.
On Monday, the party's Secretary General, Raphael Tuju termed a document doing rounds on social media alleging that Mariga was one of the potential candidates for Jubilee in the Kibra poll as fake.
The Jubilee Party will square it up with aspirants from other political parties including Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Amani National Congress (ANC).