Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has told off those celebrating the disqualification of Jubilee party candidate in the Kibra parliamentary by-election McDonald Mariga.
The football star's bid was invalidated on Tuesday after his name missed in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) register of voters.
The announcement was made when Mariga visited the electoral agency's offices to present his nomination certificate and other documents required.
However, Khalwale has produced an acknowledgement slip showing Mariga is indeed a registered voter in Nairobi County.
The slip indicated that Mariga registered in Starehe Constituency, Kariokor/Ziwani Ward at Kariokor Social Hall polling station. The date of registration was not disclosed.
Khalwale said they will appeal Mariga's disqualification at the IEBC Disputes Tribunal and exuded confidence he will cleared to contest in the November 7 mini-poll.
"I appeal to Mariga's supporters in Kibra Constituency to remain calm. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we're to the IEBC Disputes Tribunal which will easily verify and find that McDonald Mariga is a registered voter. He will be on the ballot. Tukutane kwa debe (Let's meet at the ballot)," the former Senator tweeted.
Outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna has also told off Mariga's opponents saying it was his constitutional-guaranteed right to vie since he was a registered voter.
"Despotic sycophants kept shouting loudly that McDonald Mariga had not registered as a voter and therefore cannot contest. Now that he has produced an IEBC acknowledgment slip proving registration, you cannot use the ID Card as an excuse. Let's stop the despotic games," Miguna said.