Jubilee candidate in the Kibra by-election, McDonald Mariga on Wednesday, October 2, suffered a setback after more Jubilee leaders turned against him.
The Jubilee Youth Leaders endorsed his rival, ODM party candidate, Bernard Imran Okoth stating that Mariga was not the right aspirant for the party.
Addressing a press conference at AIC Church, Kibra, the youth, led by Zack Kinuthia and Isaac Ngugi stated that their loyalty to President Uhuru Kenyatta would not be affected by their choice.
They described Mariga's candidature as a move intended to cause disharmony in the party adding that it was opposing the handshake agreement between President Uhuru and Raila Odinga.
“It has been made to appear as if one of our own is vying on a Jubilee party ticket in the upcoming Kibra by-election but today as Jubilee youth leaders from Kibra, we distance ourselves from that particular project that is being forced down our throats, and hereby endorse Imran.
“Having evaluated all the candidates, we have come to the conclusion that the best candidate with the vision and clout to fit the gap and continue with the great work left by the late Ken Okoth is none other than Imran,” Kinuthia was quoted by the Nation.
Describing Imran as a dedicated leader, the youth vowed to support the ODM candidate by mobilising supporters and protecting his votes.
Kinuthia further faulted Mariga for never participating in any Jubilee activity nor understanding the ideals of the party.
The latest move comes after, Jubilee Nominated MP, Maina Kamanda endorsed ODM's Imran Okoth for the parliamentary seat in a presser at Capitol Hill, Nairobi on Thursday, September 19.
Also expressing her reservations against Mariga's bid was Gender CAS Rachel Shebesh who alleged that President Uhuru Kenyatta was coerced to endorse the former footballer.
Shebesh stated that she was at State House when the DP pressurized the president to endorse Mariga on September 18, 2019.
