Former Gem Member of Parliament Jakoyo Midiwo has weighed in on the disqualification of former Harambee Stars forward McDonald Mariga.

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Speaking on Thursday during a wide-ranging panel discussion on K24 Television, Mr Midiwo appeared to fault the decision by the Kibra constituency returning officer Beatrice Muli, saying that the veteran footballer is a Kenyan who deserves a chance to contest the parliamentary seat.

The returning officer based her decision on what she said was the missing of the Jubilee candidate's name in the voter's register.

He went on to say that the decision on whether Mr Mariga can become a member of parliament or not should be left with the voters.

"There is no law that can supersedes the Kenyan constitution. Mariga is a Kenyan. He has expressed his rights to stand, that decision lies with the voters, " the former legislator said

Jakoyo Midiwo's intervention comes amid a spirited effort by Mariga's lawyers to contest the footballer's disqualification from the Kibra parliamentary race.

The fate of the candidature of Mariga now lies with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) tribunal that will decide whether or not he will be allowed to run.

He has insisted that he is a duly registered voter.

Should the tribunal uphold the disqualification then the Jubilee legal team will take its case to the courts.