Opinion: McDonald Mariga maybe outplayed himself

The Kibra By-Elections is up and the candidate for the Members of Parliament seat for the Jubilee Party is under question. Even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will seal his fate this upcoming Monday. Clearly, the recent days has shown what happens when you go from being a celebrity and ex-footballer into politics.

Politicians are usually scrutinised for various of reasons, for their past actions, their voting in local assembly or statements at rallies. Even speeches or lack of proper codes of conduct. There even a look into records delivered of their financial status, their businesses or their charities even. With this in mind, the ex-football and former professional McDonald Mariga should have been more careful.

Surely a bet on the Jubilee Party is a safe one, the second one would be the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). However, he picked the Jubilee and to stand as candidate as MP. With this, there has come a lot of issues. Which, most likely the former player never thought off.

First of, his never been voter himself and directly registered. The registered card that’s been online has been questionable at best. Even the likes of 1977, 1981 and 1987. Even if web-pages like famous birthday says his born on the 4th April 1987. Reports from 2013 stated this: “The 26-year-old defensive midfielder, who has been capped over 30 times by his country, will be allowed to leave Inter for a fee of around 2 million Euros as he is coming into the final year of his contract” (Eyefootball.com – ‘Kenya international McDonald Mariga top of Southampton list’ 10.08.2013). If you calculate the age with this article too, 2013-26 = 1987 too. Therefore, the official date his had in public in the past. Has been born in 1987, which isn’t a bad date, unless he wants to suddenly act older.

Secondly to top it off, the wealthy ex-footballer, whose bought houses, luxurious cars to himself and parents in the past. Will, now face a tax-evasion charges too. McDonald will be facing possible paying back to the state about Ksh. 435 million with giving false information and file his tax returns.

Third, now the stakes are high, even if he gets ability or not. Because, his previous actions are now put into question. His legacy on the football field will still be there. His time in Inter-Milan and such will remain. However, his political gamble, might not pay-off, as his handlers and his team didn’t properly estimate the consequences of throwing his candidature at this time. They wasn’t prepared, didn’t have the guarantees and did seem bothered with his lack voting history. Which in retrospect. Looks foolish, since this guy is asking people to vote for him and his candidacy, but his not bothered to go to vote for anyone else previously in his life. If his 32 years old or if his 38/42 years old. He should have at least cared to once vote. Even if he became a big-shot footballer abroad.

Therefore, the football-player, the one big-man who played for various of Italian teams during his day. Who was nearly going to the Premier League. Surely, thought this would be a cake-walk. Since, he joined Jubilee and had their team behind him. However, his lost it with his gamble, even if the IEBC clears him on Monday. His surely shown signs of bad play and that usually gets a red-card. The public can see, how the fixing and managing behind the scenes has gone. That his actions haven’t been all fair. That before, his even stated his pledges or promises to Kibra as their MP.

That should be a warning. A man of the stature and wealth of McDonald Mariga can still outplay himself. Since, he didn’t know the rules to this game. Peace.

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Karamoja is running into a possible food crisis, but Mzee says its green!

Greetings. These pictures were taken at Kobebe dam, in Karamoja, as I waited for H.E Uhuru Kenyatta. I was at Latitude 2° North & 48 minutes (2°48 N). You can see how green it is!! The temperature, at that moment, was 22° celsius, very pleasant. The myth that Karamoja is dry is only perpetuated by those that do not know the opportunities available. Yes, Karamoja gets rain for fewer months than in the South of Uganda” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 12.09.2019).

Well, its one of those days. The President shouldn’t demystify the area, but govern it properly. As there are already warning signs in concern of the food security in the region of Karamoja in August 2019. Therefore, the President should have warned about this and worked with the right authorities to secure the public. Instead, his busy with a photo-op and spreading his good news before yet another high ranking meeting with foreign dignitaries.

Let me show first, what IPC 3 means and also what the FAO warns about. Let’s take a look.

FEWS Net IPC 3 meaning:

PHASE 3 Crisis. Households either:

– Have food consumption gaps that are reflected by high or above-usual acute malnutrition;

OR

– Are marginally able to meet minimum food needs but only by depleting essential livelihood assets or through crisis-coping strategies” (FEWS NET – ‘Integrated Phase Classification’).

FAO Food Security Outlook:

In Karamoja, a typically high sorghum prices and below-average firewood-to sorghum terms of trade continue to significantly limit household food access and maintain above-average acute malnutrition prevalence. Due to a poor start of the rainfall season and reduced area planted, delayed harvests will gradually begin in September and sorghum production is expected to range from 20 to 40 percent below average on the district level. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are likely to persist through September and into October. As harvesting progresses, food security will gradually improve to Stressed (IPC Phase 2) through January” (FAO, 30.08.2019).

So, when the President speaks of the green land of Karamoja, his not concerned or thinking about the public. As they suffer malnutrition and lacking production of sorghum in the region. This should worry a President and he should think of the public there. Instead, his blowing praises on green fields and putting up tents to meet another head of state.

This shows that the President isn’t there to act upon the warned trouble ahead. The state should act upon the problematic food security. It should create and make arrangement to secure the public get enough food, the rising malnutrition shows signs of maladministration.

Certainly, the President doesn’t want to hear that, as his all about Steady Progress, but this problem in Karamoja is prevalent and repetitive. Its not like this haven’t happen in the region before, it has and is something the NRM and President could have acted upon. That is if he cares, alas, he don’t. His had 33 years to do something and ensure food security.

This is because of the reduced area planted with crops/cereals in the region and also the delayed harvest, also a poor rainfall in the season. All of these things should worry anyone, but the President is praising green grass. So we better let him be and praise his wisdom. Because, people is starving since they believe in myths. Peace.

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