The latest in the growing list of controversies facing former Harambee Stars footballer McDonald Mariga is his ability to express himself in a fluent and coherent manner.
Speaking in a panel discussion Monday morning on NTV, renowned socio-political commentator David Osiani contended that Mariga did not possess the ability to articulate his position on issues let alone his policies.
Mr Osiani wondered how with his apparent lack of fluency how the ruling Jubilee candidate would be able to contribute to parliamentary debate should he be elected in the by-election slated for November.
"Mariga cannot express himself to explain his policies even in fluent Swahili because in parliament he will communicate in two languages, either in Swahili or English. When I was listening to him, I don't think that he can articulate his issues to us."
(Mariga kujieleza ili kueleza sera alizonazo hawezi kueleza hata kuongea kwa Kiswahili sanifu kwa sababu kule bunge ataongea kwa lugha mbili aongee either kwa kizungu au kwa Kiswahili. Nilipokuwa namsikiza sioni kama anaweza kutuongelesha), " the socio-political commentator said. (14:20-14:40)
Osiani's words come in the context of growing scrutiny over Mariga's language skills as he has appeared to hesitate while addressing the media and sometimes leaving members of his campaign to answer questions on his behalf.
Those who take issue with his apparent poor articulation of issues contend that it might hinder him in effectively representing the people of Kibra constituency.
The Jubilee candidate was cleared today by the Conflict Resolution Tribunal of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to run in the Kibra parliamentary race.