Mariga Reinstated as Jubilee Flag Bearer in Kibra

The IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee has reversed the verdict of the Kibra Returning Officer and has allowed Jubilee Party’s McDonald Mariga to run in the Kibra MNA by election on 7th November, 2019.

UPDATE: McDonald Mariga cleared by the IEBC's Dispute Resolution Committee to run as the as Jubilee candidate in the Kibra by-election.

"The complainant is duly registered as a voter" – Wafula Chebukati pic.twitter.com/Oze8ohRVzC

— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) September 16, 2019

Reading the verdict, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati confirmed that Mariga will subsequently be included in the list of candidates running for the Kibra by election.

Mr.Mariga will subsequently be included in the list of candidates running for the Kibra by election

— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) September 16, 2019

Mariga petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission after Kibra returning officer Beatrice Muli invalidated his nomination on grounds that his name was missing from the register of voters.

Making the ruling on Monday, IEBC Dispute Tribunal said it is obligated to conduct continuous registration of citizens as voters.

“It is our finding that the complainant was duly registered as a voter,” IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said.

Mariga’s legal team led by lawyer Elisha Ongoyi pushed Muli to admit an error on her part and pleaded with the committee to rectify the mistake by overturning the decision.

The seat fell vacant after former MP Ken Okoth died of cancer on July 26 at the Nairobi Hospital.

BREAKING: Macdonald Mariga cleared to vie as Jubilee candidate in Kibra by-election on November 7 after IEBC concludes he is a duly registered voter. pic.twitter.com/6IwUdstfOa

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) September 16, 2019