The nomination of football star McDonald Mariga to fly the Jubilee party flag in Kibra constituency in the November by-election is continuing to face opposition from within even as another senior member of the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led party vowed to campaign for the ODM party candidate.
In a statement that has exposed the leadership wrangles facing the giant party, nominated MP Maina Kamanda claimed that Mariga has been imposed on people by Deputy President William Ruto to derail the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“The candidate Jubilee Party picked has been imposed on the party by Ruto. He is Ruto’s candidate and not Jubilee’s. I am for a candidate who will be announced by ODM,” said Kamanda as quoted by the Standard.
The former Starehe MP's sentiment comes just a day after Gatundu South lawmaker Moses Kuria declared his opposition to the Mariga's candidature saying that the star football should stick to football even as he pitched for ODM's youth leader Benson Musungu.
With his infant political career facing opposition even before take-off, the former Inter Milan star should brace for tough days ahead.
As to whether he will overcome the treachery remains to be seen. But for Jubilee Party, rebellion is alive and kicking.