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Margaret Wanjiru's son: I cannot be a pastor like my mother!

City News

Stephen Kariuki

Stephen Kariuki aka K1, was elected MP for Mathare after a protracted court battle followed by a narrowly won by-election. He spoke to Solomon Koko about being raised by a single mother and turning his life around for his constituents

What was your secret to winning the Mathare seat?

Persistent campaigning, that’s what we did even when we were in court challenging our rivals. We stayed on the ground. It’s a tactic my mum used in her campaigns, and it worked for me as well.

Who do you attribute your win to?

I thank Mathare residents for the faith they have in me. I am also grateful for my party’s campaign team and church leaders who made victory a reality.

Is it true there was an attempt to block your petition for a re-election?

There was a cartel of moneyed men who spent a lot of money to try and block the petition, but I will not reveal their names.

I almost gave up after losing the first case at the High Court, but I’m happy the Court of Appeal overruled the earlier decision.

Your thoughts about the High Court ruling?

I attribute it mainly to the presiding judge. I was warned to make a formal request to seek replacement of the judge handling the case. I ignored the advise and subsequently lost the case, despite overwhelming evidence we produced.

The matter was finally taken seriously after the Court of Appeal overruled the lower court.

Did your mother push you into politics?

No. I came back from the US where I was studying economics, banking and finance and joined the referendum campaigns. My mother had also just joined politics and I was part of her campaign team.

Moreover, I always wanted to serve the people, and I’m grateful they gave me that chance.

Why politics?

I would still lead a relatively comfortable life outside politics. But my desire and drive to improve the livelihood of the people of Mathare was overpowering.

It is my life’s mission to bring real change that can benefit my constituents. I promise not to let them down because we are all in this together. I sold off everything I had in the US to fund the campaigns, including two houses.

Do you have political wars with your mother when making decisions?

Yes, a lot, but it is never personal. I have argued with her a lot, especially after advising her to go for the gubernatorial seat.

I felt the senatorial post had vested interests. Sadly, it didn’t go well, and she lost, but we have moved past that. She has many political sons, myself included, and those are just some of the political mistakes that make you wiser.

Are you intending to follow your mum’s footsteps and become a church minister?

That takes a calling and anointment.  I cannot be a pastor. I will apply my training to manage the ministry as a director, run my businesses and concentrate on developing my constituency.

There was a time that your family got a lot of media attention, and it wasn’t really good publicity.

It was tough, but we didn’t succumb to the vilification. It just made us stronger as a unit. We were terribly affected as a family, but we learnt to stay close together. We owe that strength to the tough upbringing by a single mother, who struggled from very humble beginnings, working as a hawker and a house help and eventually responding to God’s call to be a bishop of one of Kenya’s largest Christian churches. We know that there will always be naysayers and critics, but this just proves our relevance.

What are your priorities as an MP?

I intend to mentor and introduce at least 20 women and youths from every ward into business. This will help reduce poverty in the area. It’s not going to be easy, but I will strive to ensure that my constituents can put a plate of food on their tables every day.

How was it like growing up?

I was a rebel. In fact, kama siku choose life, ningekua dingo (I would be a thug if I didn’t make the right choices).

I was always at the forefront in school strikes and was arraigned in court when I was just 16 for stealing a neighbour’s car. My mother had to send me away to the US. This was the turning point that changed my life.

Would you say your parliamentary inexperience is a disadvantage?

Development is about the correct strategy, not how long one has been in parliament. Still, I was warmly welcomed by the likes of Ishrad Sumra and George Theuri who showed me the tricks of the House and I love the attention I’m receiving from both sides, especially from young legislators.

 

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