After his candidature for the Kibra seat was disqualified by IEBC, former football star McDonald Mariga has filed a petition with the IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee contesting the decision. Mariga’s candidature for the Kibra seat was quashed by IEBC on Tuesday, after it was noted that his details couldn’t be found in the voter’s register. The decision came hours after the Jubilee party had issued him the nomination certificate.
In an affidavit, Mariga, as the complainant, has challenged the decision of IEBC returning officer Beatrice Muli, saying the decision to invalidate his candidature violates his rights and fundamental freedoms protected by the Constitution and the Elections Act. He further points out that according to the advice by his lawyers, IEBC has the jurisdiction to review and remedy the decision of the returning officer.
He further outlined that he is a registered voter, contrary to the earlier revelation, “I registered as a voter on 26th August 2019 at Kariakor Social Hall Polling Station in Starehe constituency and I was issued with an acknowledgement slip bearing Electors No.0145211908261205-9….” he reveals in the affidavit.
After his invalidation on Tuesday, Langata MP Korir insisted that Mariga’s right to vie cannot be impeded, as long as he is a qualified Kenyan and has made the application to vie or vote. IEBC has cleared 23 candidates to vie for the Kibra parliamentary seat in the November 7th by-election.