Jubilee MPs Maina Kamanda, Moses Kuria reveal why McDonald Mariga was given party ticket

A section of Jubilee Party's members of parliament have come out to reveal the intrigues behind the nomination of footballer McDonald Mariga to vie for the Kibra Constituency by-election.

Nominated MP Maina Kamanda and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria have claimed that the footballer is Deputy President William Ruto's pet project.

The two MPs further accused the DP of imposing Mariga on the party and vowed to campaign against him.

Jubilee MPs Maina Kamanda, Moses Kuria reveal why McDonald Mariga was given party ticket to vie for Kibra MP's seat Pulse Live Kenya

"The candidate Jubilee Party picked has been imposed on the party by Ruto. He is Ruto’s candidate and not Jubilee’s. I am for a candidate who will be announced by ODM," Kamanda stated on Tuesday.

In a rejoinder, the vocal Gatundu legislator declared that he would campaign for Benson Musungu, the Youth Coordinator for ODM, should he win ODM's party primaries scheduled for August 7.

Kuria went on to convey that he believes Musungu is the best pick given that the aspirant grew up in Kibra.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja stated that he was of the opinion that the ruling party ought to have backed the ODM candidate in the spirit of the handshake.

Jubilee MPs Maina Kamanda, Moses Kuria reveal why McDonald Mariga was given party ticket to vie for Kibra MP's seat Gatundu South legislator Moses Kuria Pulse Live Kenya

A highly contested by-election in Kibra

So far, Mariga will be facing it out with Eliud Owalo who was given the Amani National Congress (ANC) party ticket.

Owalo recently defected from ODM party where he had served as the chief presidential campaign manager for ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

DJ Kriss Darling is among others who have appealed to the ODM party leader to back their bid for the seat.