Celebrated footballer Mac Donald Mariga, who made history by becoming the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League, has confirmed that he will be vying for a parliamentary seat in the Kibra by-election.

Mariga’s confirmation comes days after Jubilee Party disowned a letter to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) with his name, saying the party was not going to field any candidate in the Kibra by-election, which is an ODM stronghold.

Mariga, however, denied claims that he is a “project” of deputy president William Ruto.

“I just want to give back to the society,” the footballer said while addressing the media outside the Jubilee Party Headquarters in Pangani.

Although both the Jubilee and ODM parties are yet to field their candidates, Amani National Congress (ANC) has fronted on Eliud Owalo, who was once a political advisor of the former Prime Minister.

Musician Chris Darling is one of the candidates eyeing the ODM nomination for the Kibra parliamentary race.

The Kibra by-election, which was occasioned by the death of former MP. Ken Okoth, is scheduled for November 7.