Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has responded after Ida Odinga predicted that star footballer McDonald Mariga will 'fail' after hanging his boots to engage in politics.
Khalwale said Ida's remarks were an indication that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was shaken after Mariga announced his bid to contest for Kibra parliamentary seat.
The former Senator reminded Ida, who is the wife of ODM party leader Raila Odinga, that Liberia was being ruled by George Weah who is a retired international footballer just like Mariga.
"Mariga has sent the fear of the Lord in the ODM! None other the respected Ida Odinga has today advised that as a footballer Mariga will fail politically. Mama, celebrated footballer, President George Weah of Liberia, has succeeded where many Kenyan presidential wannabes didn't," Khalwale tweeted on Thursday.
Speaking during a function in Kisumu East Sub-County on Wednesday, Ida faulted Mariga's decision to quit football and venture into politics, saying he was doomed to fail.
“Have you heard of the name Dennis Oliech? What has he excelled in? Football isn’t it? Think of Mariga, I can not use that as a good example because, when he changed the profession, you see how he failed,” she said.
“If he would have stuck to football he would do much much better," Ida added speaking at Wandiege Primary School.
Mariga was nominated by the Jubilee Party to be its flag bearer in the by-election slated for November 7 but his bid got a setback after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) disqualified him.
The electoral agency invalidated his candidature on grounds he was not a registered voter. Mariga has appealed the decision.