Not worried of the odds stacked against him over his young age, 20-year-old Kelvin Mwangi Maina vying for Gaturi MCA seat whose elections are slated for December 15, soldiers on, is determined and hopeful that he will like Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata and Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi break history.
Mr Kang’ata was elected Murang’a town’s Central ward councilor in 2002 while barely 22-years-old, a year before joining Kenya School of Law for Diploma Course and two years after he was suspended from University of Nairobi, while then Vice Chair of Students Union, for reportedly leading a strike.
MP John Paul was a third year student at Mount Kenya University pursuing Bachelor Degree in Education when he was elected to Parliament defeating his main competitor with over 3000 votes.
Despite being looked down upon, the Party for Economic Democracy aspirant continues to crisscross the vast ward door-to-door mainly on foot luring electorates to elect him promising to champion rights for all (youth, women, disabled and underprivileged) and ensure realization of more development.
“I am so overwhelmed by how Gaturi people have embraced my manifesto and are sharing their views across all platforms. I remain focused to meet electorates from all corners of the ward ahead of the December 15 elections,” he said when he met a group of women at Kaweru market.
The first year student at the University of Nairobi, who is rapidly gaining popularity among the residents due to his candid articulation of issues, stresses that he has all it takes to serve Gaturians vowing to brace for the contest to the ballot.
Mr Kelvin Mwangi, the son of a shopkeeper stands out as is the only one without the money in the contest that has attracted contestants who are rich and well connected, and who believe politics is for the old and middle aged, but remains confident God is in control.
Having come from humble background, the aspirant says he knows what need to be done to uplift living standards for Gaturi people through groups empowerment programs and improved infrastructure.
He is battling it out with eight others among them former MCA Rosemary Wakuthii.
