IEBC has cleared former football star McDonald Mariga to vie for the Kibra seat. Mariga’s clearance paves the way for him to vie on a Jubilee ticket. Mariga appeared before the IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee on Friday to present his petition against the invalidation of his candidature after IEBC returning officer noted that his details were not in the voter’s register. Speaking on Monday, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said Mariga is indeed a registered voter, “The respondent’s decision on September 10th, 2019 declining the nomination of the complainant on account that he was not registered as a voter is hereby set aside,” he said.
After the IEBC decision, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale lauded the decision, terming it fair. He urged Mariga’s competitors to stop erecting imaginary obstacles and to let the residents of Kibra vote. He faulted those who are trying to bring up Mariga’s age controversy, “The people who are now attempting to come up with the issue of age, Again let us inform you, the ages at stake are age 18 and age 21, Mariga is over 18 and therefore is free to vote, Mariga is over 21 and therefore is free to contest,” said Khalwale.