A 23-year-old independent candidate Mr. John Paul Mwirigi, has been voted in as a Member of Parliament in Kenya.

He is the next Igembe South MP after he was declared winner Thursday morning.

Majority of his supporters were boda boda (motor cycle) riders (called Okada riders in Nigeria).

Mr. Mwirigi, a Bachelor of Education student at Mt Kenya University won after garnering 18, 867 against Jubilee’s Rufus Miriti, who had 15, 411 votes.

Other candidates, who were seasoned politicians include Mwenda Mzalendo (7,695), Kubai Mutuma (6,331) and Raphael Muriungi (2,278) votes.

Mr Mwirigi, who could be the youngest elected MP, did not have a flashy campaign.

He said he has been campaigning on foot by visiting homesteads before he received support from boda boda riders.

His supporters started celebrating on Wednesday when provisional results showed he was ahead of his rivals.

Mr Mwirigi said his first agenda would be supporting agribusiness activities, promote entrepreneurship and nurturing talents.

“Since I come from a humble background, I understand the issues that affect the residents. My key agenda will be to transform the lives of the people,” said the youthful candidate.

The sixth born in a family of eight says he still lives in a ‘granary’ (a raised house) and does not own land, contrary to claims that he had sold his land for campaigns.

Source:

howkenya.com