Kibra parliamentary seat aspirant MacDonald Mariga’s father Noah Wanyama protested that he was not involved in every plan that saw the footballer slid into politics.
Close family sources pointed out that Wanyama, was not impressed by the fact that his son was running on a Jubilee ticket as DP William Ruto project. It’s understood that Mariga is being fronted by Ruto against the will of some Jubilee leaders.
The system within Jubilee opposed to Ruto’s idea are now advancing an idea that Mariga is not a registered voter and should be locked out of the Kibra by-election.
Mariga’s hop into politics
McDonald Marigas plunge into politics has effectively brought down the curtains on a glittering football career spanning 16 years.
This is after the Jubilee Party national elections boards settled at the 32-year-old former Kenya international midfielder as its preferred candidate in the oncoming Kibra constituency parliamentary by-election.
The ruling party’s election board chairman Andrew Musangi announced the decision to pick Mariga during a media briefing at the party’s headquarters.
Earlier that day, the football star had availed himself at the party headquarters for a vetting process that paved way for his nomination.
The party’s decision has formally ushered in Mariga into active politics with his short term objective being contesting and clinching the Kibra constituency by-election in November.
On Monday, Mariga arrived at the party headquarter in Parklands, Nairobi with song and dance from his exuberant supporters.
His supporters were all dressed in red t-shirts emblazoned with the player’s name and favourite jersey number 17.
They waved placards and sang songs in praise of Mariga.
The former Kenya international midfielder was quick to set the records straight about his candidature.
“I am not being used by anyone, I made this decision with my family, so here I am. Let’s see how it goes,” Mariga said.
Mariga who is the son of retired coach and administrator Noah Wanyama, and also brother to Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama, Mariga is considered one of the best footballers of his generation.
He also is East Africa’s most successful footballer having won the Uefa, Champions League, Italys Serie A, and Coppa Italia titles with Inter Milan in 2010 under the guidance of famed coach Jose Mourinho.
Football career fall out
Mariga evidently started slowing down five years ago, and never fully recovered from a crucial ligament injury he sustained while playing for Parma in the Italy in 2012.
His football journey to the very top commenced when he caught the eye of European scouts while representing Kamukunji High School in his teenage years.
The father of one would later commenced his football career at Kenyan Premier League side Kenya Breweries (now known as Tusker) before moving to the defunct Kenya Pipeline in Kenyas top-flight league.
He then transferred to Sweden, initially at third-tier club Enokpings before getting a better deal at Helsinborgs, a first-tier club in the same country, where he played alongside Swedish great Henrik Larsson.
A string of impressive performances earned him a breakthrough move to Parma in 2007 from where he was briefly linked with English sides Manchester United and Manchester City before Inter came calling.
He has also enjoyed stints at European clubs Latina, Real Sociedad and Real Oviedo.
However, critics say he never quite managed to transfer his club form while on national team duty and failed to help Harambee Stars qualify for any major tournament.
