Jubilee’s Macdonald Mariga has suffered yet another blow after Youths allied to the Party openly declared their support for ODM’s Imran Okoth. The Youths have claimed that Mariga has been forced down the throats of Jubilee members and as such, they will not support his bid.
According to the group, only Imran Okoth has what it takes to fill the void left by the late Ken Okoth.
The group has also argued that President Uhuru Kenyatta does not support Mariga since he is yet to publicly declare he is for the former football star. Even photos shared on social media by a number of Jubilee bloggers together with DP William Ruto showing Uhuru apparently endorsing Mariga for the Kibra seat did little to convince them.
“Having evaluated all the candidates, we have come to the conclusion that the best candidate with the vision and clout to fit in the gap and continue with the great works left by the late Hon. Ken Okoth is none other than Imran,” Read a statement by the Jubilee Youth Wing.
“As members of the Jubilee party, whenever we find ourselves at crossroads, our leader President Uhuru Kenyatta always gives us direction. He is a transparent leader who clearly speaks out and leaves nothing to doubt. He does not communicate using selfies and photos, but through words,” they added.
The Youth Group also revealed that it’s decision to rally behind Mariga was informed by the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga.
“We have seen the handshake work wonders. In the metropolitan Kibra constituency, it has been calm, we have not been experiencing political confrontations, political violence or volatility as was the norm before the handshake. The people of Kibra and the rest of the country are enjoying peace. Peace that is critical for the stability of Kenya as a state and for the business environment,” They Said.
They also cautioned a senior leader within Jubilee who they did not name against trying to frustrate, disrupt and disintegrate the spirit of the handshake by causing targeted disharmony in different regions of the country including Kibra.
Macdonald Mariga is expected to battle it out with ODM’s Imran Okoth, ANC’s Eliud Owalo and 22 others.
The former Inter Milan and Real Sociedad star is already facing opposition from a number of Jubilee MPs like Moses Kuria who are opposed to his candidature with many of them arguing that he does not have what to takes to fit in the late Ken Okoth’s shoes.
The Kibra by elections will be held on 7th November.