Why I have never voted - Mariga

Kibra residents head to the ballot on Thursday in a hotly contested race.

Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga says he may have never voted, but has a lot to offer residents.

Here is his vision:

What are your plans for Kibra?

I will begin construction of Public Schools in every ward and lobby for a State of the art TIVET institution to be set up to ensure the best education for our people. The elections are a chance for the people to liberate themselves from a narrative that Kibra cannot be a modern dwelling place. A choice between those who have governed Kibra for many years and those who have the only notable development. A choice between those who play football on the microphone and those willing to build stadiums so that football is no longer played on the microphone but on the pitch. A choice between work and talk for the sale of it.

What will you do in the first 100 days

We need to redesign the culture of 100 days. I will deliver many things within the next three years.

Our people urgently need jobs, I will set up an open air Tailoring centre and lobby County and National Governments to support through procurement opportunities especially now that we have a Weekly African Shirts Wear day. There is no reason why County staff uniforms should not be designed and made by Kibra sons and daughters. We will lobby Treasury to pilot the By a Kali SME fund in Kibra.

I will also seek talent-based scholarships for our people to boost our CDF bursaries scheme and it will be administered by a Technical bursaries team

In the event that you don’t get this seat you’re vying for, what next for you? Is that it with politics?

We will begin the journey to modernize Woodley Stadium

There is a negative perception about Kibra. What is your take

It’s terribly unfair to say that Kibra is known for bad things.

This is the home of men and women who’ve served the country and made a name for themselves. 

What we haven’t had is equal opportunity. That’s why my manifesto spells out in detail what we will do to give Kibra the opportunities it has so long been denied.

6) Your opponents say that you have never voted. What is the true position?

True. Because for a long time elections were held when I was playing International Soccer. But voting for those who have voted all those years, has not made Kibra better. Voting for those who have voted all those years has not cleared our drainage. My point is I was out there but remained a Citizen of Kenya, those we elected and have been voting have not changed Kibra. I may not have voted but I know exactly how to hand Kibra a transformation.

7) What should the people of Kibra expect from you, if you win the polls?

I was born and raised in Kibra, I have played for some of the world’s biggest clubs. I was the first Kenyan to win the Champions’ league. Now, I’m back home to serve.

It has been quite a journey. If there’s one thing it has taught me, it is this: given a fair chance, a boy or girl from Kibra can compete with, and beat, anyone, anywhere.

If I am given the honour of representing the people of Kibra, my job will be to bring home to Kibra the fair opportunity others can take for granted.

That means building new schools, and equipping those already here. It means building new hospitals and dispensaries. It means loans for small businesses so that our young men and women can make the most of their talent. It means inclusivity: whatever your religion, your ethnicity, your gender, if you live in Kibra, you have as much right to these opportunities as anyone.

I am confident that this — the opportunity to make the most of our own talents — is what Kibra wants. It is the leadership I offer.

8) What brought about your interest in politics having come from a very different world?

Football taught me Teamwork. There is a lot that comes with scoring. That is why my slogan is scoring for Kibra. I do not view my entry into the Kibra race as politics, but an opportunity to score for Kibra. Set and score goals in getting better infrastructure. Score health goals and much more.

9) What message would you relay on aspiring youths more-so those who look up to you?

 We have learned from previous achievers that no human is limited and that regardless of where you come from that your dreams are valid, my biggest achievement is not winning the Champions League or playing top flight football, my biggest achievement is "service to humanity" Kibra and the people of Kenya now need me to give my strength of my youth and skill to help make our Kibra better.

10) There have been a lot of allegations made against you by your opponents that you are using state resources to campaign. (meeting delegations at DP’s official residence, Government vehicles) What is your take?

That question was answered by the DP in the rally at DC grounds in Kibra. I adopt his answer 100 percent. Please refer to it.

11) Your opponents have also accused you of dishing out money to these delegations. What is your take?

I prefer to speak about Kibra, the plan for liberation and transformation and the urgent call we all have to make Kibra a better place for all of us. I have little time for the slideshows being scripted every day by my opponents.